Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy and Minister of State Shri Satish Chandra Dubey Launch the Eighth Tranche of Auction of 20 Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks

Prelims-testable facts

• 01The Eighth Tranche of e-auction of Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks was launched by the Union Minister for Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy.
• 02The launch marks another significant milestone in the Government's efforts to strengthen India's critical mineral security.
• 03There are 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks across nine States put up for auction under the Eighth Tranche.
• 0413 newly identified mineral blocks and 7 mineral blocks offered under the Second Attempt are part of the Eighth Tranche.
• 05The total number of critical mineral blocks offered is 88, with 56 already successfully auctioned.
• 06The Eighth Tranche comprises minerals such as Glauconite, Vanadium, Gallium, Titanium, Rare Earth Elements (REE), Bauxite, Aluminous Laterite, Phosphorite, and Limestone.
• 07India Mining Week marks the beginning of a premier platform bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, investors, technology providers, and academia to accelerate the growth of India's mining sector.

Trap alerts

• Most people think that commercial mining is a new concept in India, but actually it has been allowed since 2020.
• Most people think that the Ministry of Mines is responsible for all mineral-related matters, but actually it is the Ministry of Coal and Mines that handles coal and lignite, while the Ministry of Mines handles other minerals.