Eighth Tranche of Auction of 20 Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks Launched

📌 Summary:

• Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, with MoS Satish Chandra Dubey, launched the Eighth Tranche of e-auction of 20 Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks during the Curtain Raiser of India Mining Week 2026
• Objective: strengthen India's critical mineral security, reduce import dependence and build resilient supply chains for minerals essential to clean energy, EV/electric mobility, advanced manufacturing, defence, aerospace and electronics
• The 20 blocks span nine States, comprising 13 newly identified blocks and 7 offered under a Second Attempt per the Mineral (Auction) Rules; total blocks offered so far rise to 88, of which 56 already auctioned
• Minerals include Rare Earth Elements (REE), Vanadium, Gallium, Titanium, Molybdenum, Graphite, Tungsten, Potash, Halite, and Rare Metals (Lithium, Cesium, Rubidium in West Bengal)
• Reforms cited: commercial mining, digital governance and greater private-sector participation; framed within Viksit Bharat and energy security

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — Economy (mineral security, supply-chain resilience, clean-energy transition); links to strategic autonomy and MMDR framework

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Eighth Tranche: 20 critical & strategic mineral blocks across 9 States
• 13 newly identified + 7 under Second Attempt (Mineral Auction Rules)
• Cumulative blocks offered: 88; already auctioned: 56
• West Bengal block offers Rare Metals — Lithium, Cesium, Rubidium

🔑 Key Term: Critical Minerals — minerals (e.g., lithium, REEs, gallium) essential for clean energy, electronics and defence, whose supply is at risk of disruption.