National Mineral Exploration Policy

Govt to launch 1st round of auction of minerals in offshore areas on Nov 28

The government will on Thursday launch the first round of sale of mineral blocks in offshore areas with 13 mines across the Arabian Sea and Andaman Sea set to be auctioned. These mineral blocks consist of a mix of construction sand, lime mud, and polymetallic nodules. These minerals are critical for infrastructure development, high-tech manufacturing and green energy transition. "The Ministry of Mines will be launching the first-ever tranche of auction of mineral blocks in offshore areas of India on 28th November 2024," an official statement said. The move assumes significance as it will lead to foray into the exploration and development of undersea mineral resources within its offshore area. Offshore areas include territorial waters, continental shelf, exclusive economic zone, and other maritime zones of the country. With the global shift towards technologies reliant on high-demand minerals, such as cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements, and polymetallic nodules, India must develop

NMDC looking to explore mining opportunities for critical minerals abroad

The country's largest iron ore miner NMDC on Thursday said it is pursuing mining opportunities for critical minerals abroad which includes lithium block in Australia. Critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel and cobalt are important components in rapidly growing clean energy technologies - from wind turbines and electricity networks to electric vehicles. "NMDC is... pursuing overseas mining opportunities for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel through its subsidiary, Legacy India Iron Ore Ltd, which includes lithium mining operations in Australia," the company said in a statement. NMDC is also preparing to begin the production of its eight million tonnes of coking coal block by December next year. This move aims to reduce the country's reliance on the import of coking coal. NMDC is set to nearly double its production capacity to 100 million tonnes (MT) by 2030. This ambitious expansion will significantly enhance the company's infrastructure, operations, an

India plans geological mapping and mineral exploration in Zambia

India seeks to access African nation's critical minerals to diversify its supply chain and strengthen bilateral ties

Centre to issue mineral exploration rights, takes the task away from states

Delays in state approval of NPEA exploration projects and funding disbursement through state channels prompted the introduction of the new scheme

Govt offers 50% refund to licence holders for critical mineral exploration

The scheme allows optional participation for EL holders granted licences through auction after the scheme's introduction

India, Australia to invest $3 mn each in critical mineral exploration

State-owned firm to lead first-such investment by India for energy security

Extensive exploration programme to find minerals stepped up in Rajasthan

Additional Chief Secretary (Mines and Petroleum) Subodh Agarwal said each part of the state was rich in some mineral

Effective regulations and coherent policy essential for mining sector

The Ministry of Mines is now proposing a major shift in policy that can bring more than 700 mineral blocks into the auction mandate

Skewed policy keeps foreign miners away from exploration in India

Lack of enabling provisions and some restrictive conditions in the country's National Mineral Exploration Policy (NMEP) has kept away foreign mining majors.No mining or exploration company from abroad is in the empanelled entities list of the National Mineral Exploration Trust. It had earlier floated an Expression of Interest, for selection of companies.The Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (Fimi) blames the non-participation of foreign companies to some restrictive provisions in the Mineral (Non-Exclusive Reconnaissance Permits) Rules, 2015.According to these, the holder of a non-exclusive reconnaissance permit (NERP) cannot stake a claim for grant of any composite licence or mining lease. Beside, grant of an NERP cannot restrain any state government from notifying the entire area or part of such area for grant of mining lease or composite licence. If there's such a notification, the NERP would automatically terminate."With such rules in place, no private company or foreign ...