New Delhi: Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy will launch the seventh tranche of auctions for critical and strategic mineral blocks on Monday, offering 19 blocks located across several states as part of the government’s push to strengthen domestic resource security.
The auction round will be launched in the presence of Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey, according to the Ministry of Mines. The blocks will be offered under both mining lease and composite licence formats, allowing companies to explore and extract valuable resources.
With this latest round, the government aims to build on earlier progress in expanding India’s access to minerals that are crucial for emerging technologies and industrial growth. Six previous auction rounds have already resulted in the allocation of 46 critical and strategic mineral blocks.
The seventh tranche adds 19 more blocks to the list, marking another step in the country’s efforts to secure a steady supply of resources required for advanced manufacturing, clean energy systems and high technology sectors.
Critical minerals such as lithium, graphite, rare earth elements, tungsten and titanium play an essential role in modern technologies, including electric vehicles, renewable energy equipment and electronics. However, the global supply of many of these minerals is concentrated in a limited number of countries, creating concerns about long term supply stability.
By expanding domestic exploration and mining, the government is seeking to reduce dependence on imports and strengthen supply chains needed for sectors linked to energy transition, fertiliser production and strategic technologies.
In parallel with the auction launch, the ministry will also host the National District Mineral Foundation Summit 2026 over two days. The summit is expected to focus on development initiatives in mining regions and the welfare of communities affected by mining activities.
Officials view the new auction round as an important move in supporting India’s transition towards a technology driven economy while ensuring reliable access to minerals that are critical for future industrial and energy needs.
