Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy said the Centre aims to reduce dependence on imports and make India self-reliant in the minerals sector at a roadshow organised by the Mines Ministry for the seventh tranche auction of critical mineral blocks and the Tranche two exploration licence. He presented the initiative as a priority to ensure that the country benefits from its mineral wealth and to increase employment generation. The event was held in Hyderabad and was focused on attracting investment and participation from the private sector.\n\nHe stated that the government does not work for revenue alone in the mineral sector and that major steps are being taken to build domestic capability. He observed that there are significant opportunities in urban mining and in coal gasification for future extraction and called on private industry to collaborate with public sector undertakings, state governments and other stakeholders. The minister emphasised the role of combined efforts to unlock critical minerals and related value chains.\n\nUnion Mines Secretary Piyush Goyal said that in FY 2025-26 a record 212 mineral blocks were auctioned compared with 364 blocks auctioned in the previous four years combined, taking the total to 684 blocks since the introduction of the auction regime in 2015. He noted that in the critical mineral segment 22 blocks were auctioned during the year and that overall 71 critical mineral blocks have been auctioned so far, including 46 by the Centre and 25 by state governments. The figures were cited to illustrate the acceleration in auctions and the widening of exploration activity across jurisdictions.\n\nThe seventh tranche of critical and strategic mineral block auctions was launched on 23 March and comprises 19 blocks, 17 composite licences and two mining leases. Officials said the tranche is intended to broaden access to strategic resources and to spur domestic processing and downstream industry. The ministry signalled continued use of auctions and licences as instruments to promote investment and to reduce import dependence over the medium term.