Shri Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines today chaired the 9^th monthly Review Meeting with senior officials of the Ministry and Category-A mineral bearing States to review the progress of mineral block auctions and operationalisation across the country. The meeting focused on accelerating reforms in the mining sector, enhancing domestic mineral production, and ensuring timely operationalisation of auctioned mineral blocks.

During the meeting, it was highlighted that since the introduction of the auction regime in 2015, a total of 108 mineral blocks were successfully auctioned during the period from FY 2015-16 to FY 2020-21. The pace of auctions witnessed a significant increase thereafter, with 364 mineral blocks successfully auctioned between FY 2021-22 to FY 2024-25, averaging about 90 blocks per year.

In FY 2025-26 alone, a record 212 mineral blocks have been successfully auctioned, marking the highest number of mineral block auctions conducted in a single financial year since the commencement of the auction regime. This achievement includes the auction of 22 critical and strategic mineral blocks, reflecting the Government’s continued focus on securing critical mineral resources essential for India’s economic growth and clean energy transition.

The meeting also reviewed the operationalisation status of auctioned blocks. It was informed that during FY 2025-26, a total of 36 mineral blocks, including 28 greenfield blocks and 8 brownfield blocks, have been operationalised as compared to 58 blocks comprising 20 greenfield and 38 brownfield blocks operationalised during the entire period from FY 2015-16 to FY 2024-25.

Secretary, Mines emphasized the need for close coordination between the Central Government and State Governments to expedite statutory clearances, facilitate early commencement of mining operations, and ensure timely production from auctioned blocks. He also underscored the importance of critical mineral development in achieving the vision of of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and strengthening India’s mineral security.

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Prajith Kumar MV