10 states offer 102 mineral blocks for auction in FY19, Jharkhand tops list

Given the sluggish pace and scale of mineral exploration in the country, numerous identified blocks do not make the grade for auctions

Ten mineral-laden states have queued up 102 blocks for electronic auctions in this financial year. With 20 blocks, Jharkhand has the largest number of deposits on offer. Rajasthan comes second with 16 blocks, while Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have readied 13 each.   

Among the queued blocks, 42 are of limestone, followed by bauxite (19), manganese ore (11), copper (8), iron ore (6), graphite (6), zinc (3) and two each for emerald and gold.  

Since the enactment of the amended Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation), 2015, and framing of Mineral Auction Rules, 50 blocks have been successfully auctioned. Karnataka has