Critical Mineral Blocks' Benefits Delayed

24 May 2024 CW Team

Icra has reported that the 38 critical mineral blocks recently put up for auction in India are unlikely to yield any substantial benefits within this decade, specifically by 2030. The primary reason cited is the incomplete exploration of these mines, which hampers the potential for commercialization and subsequent economic gains. This situation poses a significant challenge for India's downstream manufacturing sectors, which could face supply shocks, especially in critical minerals like lithium .

The government's initiative to auction these blocks, including notable lithium deposits in regions like Jammu & Kashmir and Chhattisgarh, is part of a broader strategy to secure resources vital for the country's economic and technological advancement. However, the extraction of lithium from clay deposits presents specific challenges that add to the complexity of realizing these blocks' full potential within the projected timelines .

This delay in deriving benefits from the critical mineral blocks underscores a broader issue within the sector, where the pace of exploration and readiness for commercial mining lags behind the market demand. This gap could affect various industries, particularly those reliant on these minerals for manufacturing high-tech products, renewable energy solutions, and other applications critical to India's growth and environmental objectives .

The situation calls for a reassessment of strategies concerning the exploration and development of mineral resources in India. Enhanced technological approaches, better regulatory frameworks, and more robust industry-government collaboration may be required to expedite the exploration process and reduce the time from discovery to market.

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..