India's critical-mineral auctions reach 56 blocks as the 7th tranche opens new states

A seventh auction tranche added 10 blocks — taking the total to 56 of 88 offered — and brought critical-mineral blocks to Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Telangana for the first time, covering rare earths, graphite, vanadium and titanium.

What happened

• The Ministry of Mines successfully auctioned 10 critical and strategic mineral blocks under the Seventh Tranche conducted by the Central Government.
• This took the total number of critical and strategic mineral blocks successfully auctioned to 56 — a success rate of over 63% (56 of 88 unique blocks offered).
• The Seventh Tranche marked a significant expansion, with critical-mineral blocks auctioned for the first time in Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Telangana.
• The tranche included minerals such as graphite, rare earth elements (REE), vanadium, titanium, glauconite, rock phosphate and associated minerals.
• The progress strengthens domestic mineral supply chains and advances India's critical mineral mission, widening the country's exploration footprint.

For Prelims

• Critical minerals: Minerals essential for clean energy, electronics, defence and high-tech (e.g. lithium, cobalt, REEs, graphite, vanadium) with high supply risk. India released a list of 30 critical minerals (2023).
• National Critical Mineral Mission: Launched (2025) to secure supply via domestic exploration, auctions, recycling and overseas acquisition — toward self-reliance in strategic minerals.
• MMDR Act amendment (2023): Amended the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act to let the Central Government auction 24 critical & strategic minerals (incl. lithium, REEs) and removed some from the 'atomic minerals' list to allow private mining.
• Rare Earth Elements (REE): 17 elements (e.g. neodymium) vital for magnets, EVs, electronics and defence; China dominates global supply — hence India's push for domestic REE and recycling.
• KABIL & exploration: KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd) acquires mineral assets abroad (e.g. lithium in Argentina); the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Mineral Exploration Corp explore domestically.
• Why it matters: Critical minerals underpin the energy transition (batteries, solar, wind) and electronics/semiconductors; supply concentration makes them a strategic and economic-security issue.
• Don't confuse: Auctioning a block grants exploration/mining rights — it is not the same as production; 'critical & strategic' minerals are auctioned by the Centre (post-2023 MMDR amendment), unlike most minerals auctioned by states.

For Mains

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