Offshore Mineral Blocks Auction Draws Government Outreach in Delhi

The Ministry of Mines organised an Outreach Programme on Auction of Offshore Mineral Blocks in New Delhi to provide information on the auction of two offshore mineral blocks. The programme highlighted the Ministry's efforts to strengthen India's mineral supply chains and facilitate the transparent and responsible development of India's offshore mineral resources. The Ministry has revised block configurations and circulated guidelines for baseline environmental data collection and environmental management plans.

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Quick Revision

Prelims-testable facts

01The Ministry of Mines has issued a Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) dated 1 October 2026 for the grant of operating rights for two offshore mineral blocks.
02The two offshore mineral blocks, Sewell Rise-01 and West Sewell Ridge-01, are located in the Andaman Sea and contain polymetallic nodules and crusts.
03Sewell Rise-01 covers an area of 632 square kilometres, while West Sewell Ridge-01 covers 1,000 square kilometres, taking the total area offered for auction to 1,632 square kilometres.
04The Ministry of Mines is auctioning two offshore mineral blocks in the Andaman Sea, seeking to tap deposits of cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper, and rare earth elements.
05The auction process for the offshore mineral blocks is being facilitated by SBI Capital Markets Limited (SBICAPS) and MSTC, the auction platform provider.
06The National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMEDT) has introduced a scheme for partial reimbursement of exploration expenses for Composite Licence holders of offshore mineral blocks.

Trap alerts

Most people think that the Ministry of Mines is auctioning only one offshore mineral block, but actually it is auctioning two blocks: Sewell Rise-01 and West Sewell Ridge-01.
Most people think that the auction process for the offshore mineral blocks is being facilitated by a single entity, but actually it is being facilitated by SBI Capital Markets Limited (SBICAPS) and MSTC, the auction platform provider.
Most people think that the Ministry of Mines has already finalised the Terms of Reference and Guidelines for Baseline Environmental Data Collection and Environmental Management Plans, but actually it is still in the process of finalising them.

Prelims Practice MCQs

Single facteasy

On which date was the Ministry of Mines' Outreach Programme on Auction of Offshore Mineral Blocks held?

A.10 October 2026
B.13 October 2026
C.15 October 2026
D.12 October 2026

The Ministry of Mines' Outreach Programme on Auction of Offshore Mineral Blocks was held on 13th October 2026 at New Delhi. This event aimed to inform stakeholders about the auction process for offshore mineral blocks.

Multiple statementsmedium

Consider the following statements regarding Offshore Mineral Blocks: 1. The Ministry of Mines organised an Outreach Programme on Auction of Offshore Mineral Blocks on 13th October 2026 at New Delhi. 2. The two offshore mineral blocks, Sewell Rise-01 and West Sewell Ridge-01, are located in the Bay of Bengal. 3. The total area offered for auction is 1,632 square kilometres. How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one
B.Only two
C.All three
D.None

Statement-1 is true because it is mentioned in fact 1 that the Ministry of Mines organised an Outreach Programme on Auction of Offshore Mineral Blocks on 13th October 2026 at New Delhi. Statement-2 is false because it contradicts fact 3, which states that the two offshore mineral blocks, Sewell Rise-01 and West Sewell Ridge-01, are located in the Andaman Sea. Statement-3 is true because it matches the total area offered for auction mentioned in fact 5.

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