Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy will launch the Eighth Tranche of Auction of Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks in New Delhi today. Ministry of Mines has said that it comprises 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks spread across nine states, including 13 newly identified blocks and 7 blocks being offered under the second attempt.

The mineral portfolio includes Molybdenum, Graphite, Glauconite, Rare Earth Elements, Titanium, Tungsten, Potash, Lithium, Caesium, and Rubidium. These minerals are critical for clean energy, advanced manufacturing, fertilisers, defence and other strategic sectors. With seven tranches of auction completed, the Ministry has successfully auctioned 56 out of 88 critical and strategic mineral blocks, achieving a success rate of over 63 percent.

The Ministry said the strong industry response across successive auction rounds reflects growing investor confidence in the Government’s transparent, competitive and market-driven auction framework. The Ministry stated that mineral sector has achieved a historic milestone in financial year 2025-26, with 212 mineral blocks successfully auctioned, the highest in any financial year since the commencement of the auction regime. This included 22 critical and strategic mineral blocks.