56 critical and strategic mineral blocks
Critical Minerals (Science and Technology)
Why In News:
The Ministry of Mines successfully auctioned 56 critical and strategic mineral blocks under the Seventh Tranche, along with 11 Exploration Licence (EL) blocks auctioned across different states.
What are Critical Minerals?
Definition: Critical minerals are those essential for economic development and national security, whose supply chains are vulnerable to disruption due to geological scarcity or geopolitical risks.
India's Critical Minerals List (2023) identifies 30 critical minerals including Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, Graphite, REEs, and Titanium.
These minerals are indispensable for clean energy technology (EV batteries, solar panels), defence (stealth aircraft, drones, missiles), aerospace, and advanced electronics manufacturing.
National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM)
Launched in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector.
Under this mission, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has been tasked with conducting 1,200 exploration projects from 2024-25 to 2030-31.
A committee formed by the Ministry of Mines in November 2022 identified 30 critical minerals, with 24 included in Part D of Schedule I of Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, 1957 (MMDR Act, 1957).
Auction Mechanism and Revenue Sharing
Auctions are conducted under the MMDR Act, 1957 (as amended). Revenue flows to state governments through the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) and the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET).
DMF funds are to be used for the welfare of communities in mining-affected areas - covering education, health, and infrastructure.