Ministry of Mines Organizes Roadshow for First Tranche of Critical Mineral Auction

• 23 Dec 2023

The Ministry of Mines organized a roadshow on December 19, 2023, to gear up for the success of the first tranche of the auction of Critical and Strategic Minerals.

Key Points

• Auction Details: A total of 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks will be auctioned, encompassing minerals like Graphite, Glauconite, Lithium, REE, Molybdenum, Nickel, and Potash.
• These blocks are spread across several states, including Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Union Territory Jammu & Kashmir.
• Roadshow Objectives: The roadshow aimed to guide potential bidders through the auction process. Officials and experts presented details on critical minerals, auction processes, and technical aspects. The presentations covered eligibility conditions, guidelines, and bidding parameters.
• National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) Portal: The NGDR, a part of the National Mineral Exploration Policy 2016, hosts geoscientific data to expedite exploration coverage.
• It offers centralized access, user-friendly interface, analytical tools, and open access to support mineral exploration.
• Global Access to Geoscience Data: The NGDR portal, with 35 map services, enables global access to geological, geochemical, and geophysical data. Users can view, download, and interpret data, enhancing the investment attractiveness of India's mining sector.
• Development of NGDR: Conceptualized by the Ministry of Mines, the NGDR initiative is led by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N).
• It aims to increase transparency, knowledge sharing, and global investment in India's mining sector.