Dona Paula: Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy on Thursday launched the nation’s first-ever auction of Exploration Licences (ELs) for 13 exploration blocks for critical minerals.
Reddy launched the ELs in the presence of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at Dona Paula.
The exploration licence for the minerals includes REE, Zinc, diamond, copper, PGE, and others.
The launch also features the fifth Tranche of auction of critical mining blocks and Hackathon 2025 on “Mineral Targeting using Artificial Intelligence (AI).”
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Reddy said that in the last ten years, India’s mining sector has achieved many milestones and has emerged as one of the fastest and most dynamic sectors of India.
“Today, we mark another milestone in the industry,” he said.
The minister said, “We are laying the foundation for a new era in mineral exploration,” adding that the era is faster, more technologically driven, and globally competitive.
“We have established ourselves as serious players in the global mineral landscape. It has also opened floodgates of opportunities for the private sector,” he said.
Reddy said that even greater milestones will be achieved in the coming years, and it will pave the way for the rise of India as a global leader.
The minister said that today we are launching 13 blocks for various critical and deep-seated minerals. He said that exploration possibilities are contemplated from multiple states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Karnataka.
The exploration access would be granted exclusively, which would empower the private companies to explore up to 1,000 square meters per licence, Reddy said.
This new framework will encourage transparency, efficiency, and innovation, ensuring that only the most promising areas remain for detailed exploration, he said.
“In the first ten years, we have increased exploration activities manifold. The biggest reform is the introduction of a transparent auction regime and the involvement of the private sector,” he said.
The minister said until now, India’s legal framework for mining exploration was limited.
“There was a crucial gap. There was no structural mechanism for private companies. Recognizing this, the Government of India introduced an amendment to the MMDR Act in 2023. This is a reform that will open the doors to systematic exploration of the minerals,” he said.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, addressing the gathering, thanked the Union Mines Ministry for choosing Goa for the roadshow and the launch.
Sawant said that mining has always been an integral part of the economy, contributing significantly to employment, industrial growth, and development.
“As we stand at the cusp of a new era of mineral exploration, this initiative reflects the government’s firm commitment to self-reliance in critical minerals,” he said.
He said that these minerals are an integral part of our electronic industry, green industry, and others. Sawant said that a lot of countries are yet to explore for mineral availabilities.
The Chief Minister said that there is a need to increase the pace of exploration in the country.
He said that the amendment in the MMDR Act is a bold step that will help tap the untapped mineral wealth of the country.
Sawant said that Goa will immensely benefit from such initiatives.
“As India moves towards a green energy future, securing the supplies of critical minerals will play a key role,” he said.
Referring to Hackathon 2025, Sawant said that Goa, with its mining legacy, stands to benefit from such technological advancements.
Secretary of Mines, B L Kantharao, said that this is a big event for the Ministry of Mines.
“Today, there are 4-5 important initiatives that are showcased here, including the critical mineral auction. Some of the critical minerals, which are currently 100% imported, are part of the auction,” he said.
The Secretary said that these blocks, once they are auctioned and mined, will ensure self-reliance for minerals in India.
“This is a very important event towards our journey towards Atmanirbharta,” he added.
Kantharao said that the way in foreign countries, people go and do exploration on their own, the same concept is introduced here.
“The private company will do the exploration, and if they find the deep-seated or critical mineral, then they will get income for 50 years,” he said.
“If nothing is found in the exploration, 50% of the risk is borne by the Government of India,” he added.
With the enactment of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023, ELs were introduced to allow private participation in reconnaissance and prospecting for 29 critical and deep-seated minerals, including lithium, copper, cobalt, gold, silver, REEs, and PGEs listed in the new Seventh Schedule of the Act.
To ensure smooth implementation, the Centre exercised its powers under Section 20A of the MMDR Act, issuing an order on October 21, 2024, to conduct the EL auction process.
