Union Minister Launches Second Tranche of Exploration Licence Blocks

17 Feb 2026 CW Team

He underlined the strategic importance of critical minerals and stated that a robust and efficient exploration regime will be pivotal to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and enhancing self-reliance in the mineral sector. He described the measures as transformative reforms that aim to enhance transparency, efficiency and investment in mining. He noted the mining sector is witnessing changes designed to improve governance and business opportunities.

At the event, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) launched the Next-Generation (NG) Portal, a cloud-enabled platform that integrates data acquisition, analysis, visualisation and dissemination with AI and machine learning tools. The portal is interoperable with the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) and is expected to strengthen transparency, efficiency and data-driven decision making in mineral exploration. The launch and roadshow were attended by Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, and Sanjay Lohia, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Mines. Presentations outlined the exploration licence blocks under the second tranche and explained the exploration licence regime, tender process and the e-auction mechanism.

The second tranche follows an encouraging response to the first and comprises 11 blocks of critical and deep-seated minerals spread across eight States. The Exploration Licence regime introduced under the MMDR Amendment Act 2023 and the Mineral Auction Amendment Rules 2023 was said to have strengthened transparency, improved ease of doing business and expanded opportunities for participation by both private and public sector players. A scheme for partial reimbursement of exploration expenses for holders of exploration licences was also presented.

Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy launched the second tranche of auction of Exploration Licence blocks in New Delhi, advancing the Government's efforts to strengthen the mineral exploration ecosystem. He emphasised the need to reduce dependence on mineral imports by accelerating domestic exploration and by encouraging greater participation of the private sector alongside government agencies. The Minister said the Government is committed to building a structured, transparent and technology-driven exploration framework to unlock untapped mineral potential. He underlined the strategic importance of critical minerals and stated that a robust and efficient exploration regime will be pivotal to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and enhancing self-reliance in the mineral sector. He described the measures as transformative reforms that aim to enhance transparency, efficiency and investment in mining. He noted the mining sector is witnessing changes designed to improve governance and business opportunities. At the event, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) launched the Next-Generation (NG) Portal, a cloud-enabled platform that integrates data acquisition, analysis, visualisation and dissemination with AI and machine learning tools. The portal is interoperable with the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) and is expected to strengthen transparency, efficiency and data-driven decision making in mineral exploration. The launch and roadshow were attended by Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, and Sanjay Lohia, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Mines. Presentations outlined the exploration licence blocks under the second tranche and explained the exploration licence regime, tender process and the e-auction mechanism. The second tranche follows an encouraging response to the first and comprises 11 blocks of critical and deep-seated minerals spread across eight States. The Exploration Licence regime introduced under the MMDR Amendment Act 2023 and the Mineral Auction Amendment Rules 2023 was said to have strengthened transparency, improved ease of doing business and expanded opportunities for participation by both private and public sector players. A scheme for partial reimbursement of exploration expenses for holders of exploration licences was also presented.

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..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

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..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

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..