Govt launches 2nd round of auctions for exploration licences covering 11 blocks of critical, deep-seated minerals | India News
New Delhi: Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy on Thursday launched the second round of auctions for exploration licenses covering 11 important and deep-seated mineral blocks across eight states. The licenses will allow rare earth mineral exploration in Telangana, Rajasthan and Odisha along with diamonds, vanadium, titanium and other minerals in additional states.The minister said the second phase builds on the strong response to the first round, deepening private sector participation under the new exploration regime and promoting technologically advanced exploration practices. He also launched the Geological Survey of India next-generation portal — a cloud-enabled platform that integrates data acquisition, analysis, visualization and dissemination.With global competition for critical minerals intensifying, Reddy said resilient supply chains are essential for strategic security and stressed the country’s push to reduce import dependency and achieve mineral self-sufficiency under the ‘Developed India’ vision.“India is working to reduce import dependence and achieve mineral self-reliance in line with Vixit India vision,” the minister said, highlighting reforms in the mining sector aimed at building a strong exploration ecosystem.He cited the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust’s expanded scope and a “whole of government” approach to strengthen exploration, data integration, data-driven decision-making and systematic identification of mineral potential.
