Patna: The Ministry of Mines will organise a roadshow on the 8th Tranche of Auction of Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks and a workshop on the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMEDT) in Patna, Bihar, on August 17, as the Centre steps up efforts to expand domestic exploration and attract private investment in strategically important minerals.
The programme will be chaired by Satish Chandra Dubey, Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, and will be attended by Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Dr Pramod Kumar, Mines Minister, Government of Bihar.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Mines, Bihar government, Geological Survey of India (GSI), Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), along with industry representatives and prospective investors, are expected to participate.
20 Mineral Blocks Up for Auction
The 8th tranche comprises 20 mineral blocks, including three Mining Lease blocks and 17 Composite Licence blocks.
Read Also: Ministry of Mines to Launch Second Tranche of Exploration Licence Auctions with GSI Digital Portal
The blocks cover a range of critical and strategic minerals, including:
- Graphite
- Rare Earth Elements (REE)
- Rare Metals
- Vanadium
- Gallium
- Titanium
- Molybdenum
- Tungsten
- Potash
- Phosphorite
- Glauconite
These minerals are increasingly important for emerging technologies, clean-energy applications and other strategic sectors.
Roadshow to Explain Auction and Investment Opportunities
The Patna roadshow will provide prospective bidders and industry stakeholders with information on the mineral potential of the blocks, the auction framework and the bidding process.
Presentations during the programme will cover:
- MECL: Mineral blocks being offered for auction
- SBICAPS: Mineral auction process and tender document
- MSTC: E-auction process
The session is intended to give potential investors greater clarity on the blocks available and the procedures involved in participating in the auctions.
NMEDT Scheme to Support Mineral Exploration
The programme will also feature a presentation on the NMEDT Scheme, which provides for partial reimbursement of exploration expenses incurred by Composite Licence holders.
An open-house discussion will follow, allowing industry representatives and other stakeholders to raise questions and seek clarification on the auction process and related matters.
Workshop to Focus on Mineral Exploration
The second half of the programme will feature a technical workshop titled “Mineral Exploration: Planning, Execution and Reporting.”
The workshop will focus on:
- India’s mineral exploration potential
- The National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR)
- Preparation of exploration blocks using NGDR
- Preparation of mineral exploration reports
Senior officers from the Geological Survey of India will conduct technical sessions during the workshop.
Push for Critical Mineral Security
The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to accelerate mineral exploration, strengthen private-sector participation and develop India’s domestic supply of critical and strategic minerals.
Critical minerals are increasingly important for technologies linked to clean energy, advanced manufacturing and other strategic applications. By facilitating domestic exploration and development, the government aims to reduce dependence on external sources and strengthen India’s mineral security.
The initiative also aligns with the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by encouraging greater domestic capacity in minerals considered essential for India’s emerging technology and strategic sectors.
