Mines Ministry to launch first tranche of Exploration Licence auctions; Assam, J&K and Kerala to join mineral auction regime
Union Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy said on 27 February 2025 that the first tranche of Exploration Licence auctions would be launched in March 2025 and that Assam, Jammu & Kashmir and Kerala would soon join the mineral auction regime, taking it to 17 States.
Summary
Speaking in New Delhi on 27 February 2025, Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy said the first tranche of auctions of Exploration Licence blocks for critical and deep-seated minerals would be launched in March 2025, and that Assam, Jammu & Kashmir and Kerala would soon join the mineral auction regime, expanding it to 17 States. The Geological Survey of India took up 438 exploration projects in field season 2024-25, including 195 on critical minerals. The same day the Ministry said iron ore output rose 3.5% to 236 million tonnes in April-January 2024-25, and that India is the world's 2nd largest aluminium producer and 4th largest iron ore producer.
Key facts
- Date
- 27 February 2025
- Exploration Licence
- First tranche of auctions in March 2025
- New States
- Assam, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala - auction map to 17 States
- GSI 2024-25
- 438 projects, 195 on critical minerals
- World rank
- 2nd in aluminium, 4th in iron ore
Practice MCQs 2 questions
According to Union Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on 27 February 2025, which States/UTs would soon join the mineral auction regime, taking it to 17 States?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Assam, Jammu & Kashmir and Kerala
The Minister said Assam, Jammu & Kashmir and Kerala would soon join the mineral auction regime, expanding India's mineral auction map to 17 States.
According to the Ministry of Mines (27 February 2025), what is India's rank among the world's aluminium producers?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 2nd
The Ministry said India is the 2nd largest aluminium producer in the world, among the top 10 in refined copper and the 4th largest iron ore producer.