Mines Ministry Launches Third E-Auction for Mineral Blocks

20 Mar 2024 CW Team

The e-auction process for mineral blocks has been a cornerstone of the government's efforts to reform the mining sector and attract investments. By leveraging technology and adopting transparent auction mechanisms, the Ministry aims to ensure fair competition and optimise resource utilisation while adhering to environmental and regulatory norms.

The seven mineral blocks being auctioned in this phase encompass various critical minerals essential for industrial and infrastructural development. The transparent allocation of these blocks through the e-auction process is expected to foster greater investor confidence and stimulate growth in the mining sector.

Furthermore, the e-auction initiative aligns with the government's broader agenda of promoting responsible mining practices and enhancing domestic production of minerals. By encouraging private sector participation and investment in mineral exploration and extraction, the government seeks to reduce dependency on imports and bolster India's self-reliance in critical minerals.

The Ministry of Mines has emphasised the importance of sustainable mining practices and community engagement in the development of mineral resources. As part of the e-auction process, bidders are required to adhere to stringent environmental and social impact assessment guidelines to mitigate any adverse effects on local communities and ecosystems.

In conclusion, the launch of the third tranche of e-auctions for mineral blocks underscores the government's proactive approach towards fostering transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in the mining sector. This initiative is poised to unlock the potential of India's mineral resources while contributing to economic growth, job creation, and national development agendas.

The Ministry of Mines has initiated the third tranche of e-auctions for seven critical mineral blocks, marking another step towards transparent and efficient allocation of natural resources in India. This move underscores the government's commitment to promoting sustainable development and equitable distribution of mineral wealth across the nation. The e-auction process for mineral blocks has been a cornerstone of the government's efforts to reform the mining sector and attract investments. By leveraging technology and adopting transparent auction mechanisms, the Ministry aims to ensure fair competition and optimise resource utilisation while adhering to environmental and regulatory norms. The seven mineral blocks being auctioned in this phase encompass various critical minerals essential for industrial and infrastructural development. The transparent allocation of these blocks through the e-auction process is expected to foster greater investor confidence and stimulate growth in the mining sector. Furthermore, the e-auction initiative aligns with the government's broader agenda of promoting responsible mining practices and enhancing domestic production of minerals. By encouraging private sector participation and investment in mineral exploration and extraction, the government seeks to reduce dependency on imports and bolster India's self-reliance in critical minerals. The Ministry of Mines has emphasised the importance of sustainable mining practices and community engagement in the development of mineral resources. As part of the e-auction process, bidders are required to adhere to stringent environmental and social impact assessment guidelines to mitigate any adverse effects on local communities and ecosystems. In conclusion, the launch of the third tranche of e-auctions for mineral blocks underscores the government's proactive approach towards fostering transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in the mining sector. This initiative is poised to unlock the potential of India's mineral resources while contributing to economic growth, job creation, and national development agendas.

Infrastructure Transport

15 Sep 2025

Cabinet Approves Key Highway and Rail Projects in Bihar Region

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the four-laning of the 84.2-km Mokama-Munger section of the Buxar-Bhagalpur high-speed corridor, a key industrial region in poll-bound Bihar. The Cabinet also sanctioned the doubling of the 177-km Bhagalpur-Dumka-Rampurhat railway line, which passes through Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, at a cost of Rs 31.7 billion.The Rs 44.5 billion highway project will be constructed under the hybrid annuity model, a variant of public-private partnership. The Mokama-Munger stretch was the only remaining two-lane section of the 363-km Buxar-Bhagalpur corridor. Fou..

Infrastructure Transport

15 Sep 2025

NGT Issues Notice on Bengaluru Twin Tunnel Project

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday issued notices in response to a petition filed by Bengaluru Praja Vedike and others, challenging the Bengaluru twin tunnel road project. Petitioners claim the project was “hastily announced” and bypassed mandatory environmental impact assessment procedures.Notices have been served to the Karnataka Government, Greater Bengaluru Authority, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE), the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and project consultants.The 16.74-km twin-tube..

Real Estate

15 Sep 2025

India’s Residential Sales to Dip Slightly in FY26

Residential sales in India’s seven major cities are projected to decline by up to 3 per cent year-on-year in FY26 to 620–640 million square feet (msf), amid a moderation in sales velocity, according to ratings agency Icra.In FY25, sales stood at 643 msf, down 8 per cent YoY, following a sharp contraction in new launches and moderated demand in the affordable and mid-income segments. This slowdown came after the sector posted a robust compound annual growth rate of 26 per cent in area sales between FY22 and FY24.Icra noted: “Having seen a strong upcycle, the sector entered an equilibrium ..