The Ministry of Mines held a national workshop and roadshow today at The Ambassador Hotel in New Delhi to raise awareness about the newly introduced Exploration Licence (EL) regime and the upcoming Tranche-1 auction of EL blocks. In his keynote address, Mines Secretary V.L. Kantha Rao described the EL policy as a major step forward in tapping into India's untapped reserves of key minerals like lithium, gold, rare earth elements (REEs), and diamonds. He said the new regime shifts focus from passive mineral ownership to active exploration, opening the door for private sector involvement in early-stage mineral discovery. A detailed session on the EL framework was presented by Mustaq Ahmad, Director at the Ministry, who explained how the policy encourages private sector participation, use of advanced exploration technology, and creation of a robust pipeline of mineral resources critical for India’s future growth. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) shared technical insights into the mineral potential of EL blocks across ten states. GSI’s Deputy Director General S.K. Basir emphasized the strategic importance of these sites based on initial reconnaissance studies. To help participants understand the bidding process, SBI Capital Markets' Vice President Lovesh Singla provided a breakdown of the e-auction system, eligibility rules, and tender structure. A demo of the MSTC e-auction platform was also conducted by Setu D Sharma, Senior Manager at MSTC, who explained how the system ensures transparency and security. Sebabrata Das from the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) spoke about a financial support scheme that offers partial reimbursement of exploration costs to EL holders—an initiative aimed at reducing investor risk and boosting participation. Closing the event, Additional Secretary Sanjay Lohiya reaffirmed the Ministry’s goal to build a competitive, tech-driven, and investor-friendly exploration ecosystem. He called for greater public-private collaboration and urged stakeholders to engage in the auction process. Key dates were also announced: a pre-bid conference on April 22, 2025; last date for query submission on April 30; tender purchase deadline on May 16; and final bid submission by May 26. The workshop saw participation from government officials, PSUs, industry bodies, exploration firms, and investors, reflecting growing interest in India’s new approach to mineral exploration.