Mines Ministry concludes auction of 8 critical mineral blocks in Tranche IV
On 7 November 2024, the Ministry of Mines said it had concluded the auction of 8 critical mineral blocks under Tranche IV, four of them in Arunachal Pradesh.
Summary
On 7 November 2024, the Ministry of Mines said it had successfully concluded the auction of 8 critical mineral blocks under Tranche IV of the auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks. The Notice Inviting Tender was issued on 24 June 2024 for 21 blocks; 10 reached the e-auction round. The auction was conducted under the MMDR Act, 1957, using the Centre's power to grant concessions for minerals in Part D of the First Schedule. Successful blocks include Balepalyam tungsten (Andhra Pradesh), four graphite/vanadium blocks in Arunachal Pradesh (Depo, Endolin-Isholin, Phop and Radhpu) and Sanyasikoppa cobalt-manganese-iron (Karnataka).
Key facts
- Announced
- 7 Nov 2024
- Blocks auctioned
- 8 (Tranche IV)
- Tender
- NIT on 24 Jun 2024 for 21 blocks; 10 reached e-auction
- Law
- MMDR Act, 1957 – Part D, First Schedule minerals
- Arunachal Pradesh
- 4 blocks: Depo, Endolin-Isholin, Phop, Radhpu
- Others
- Balepalyam (AP), Sanyasikoppa (Karnataka)
Practice MCQs 4 questions
How many critical mineral blocks were successfully auctioned under Tranche IV (announced 7 November 2024)?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 8
PIB (Mines): the Ministry concluded the auction of 8 critical mineral blocks under Tranche IV.
Which state had the largest number of successfully auctioned blocks in Tranche IV of the critical mineral auctions?
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Correct answer: B — Arunachal Pradesh
PIB (Mines): four of the eight successful blocks (Depo, Endolin-Isholin, Phop, Radhpu) are in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Centre auctions critical mineral blocks using its power to grant concessions for minerals listed in which part of the MMDR Act, 1957?
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Correct answer: A — Part D of the First Schedule
PIB (Mines): the auction under the MMDR Act, 1957 uses the Central Government's authority for key minerals listed in Part D of the First Schedule.
The Notice Inviting Tender for Tranche IV of critical mineral block auctions was issued on 24 June 2024 for how many blocks?
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Correct answer: C — 21
PIB (Mines): the NIT was issued on 24 June 2024 for 21 mineral blocks; 10 advanced to e-auction and 8 were successfully auctioned.