India is exploring opportunities in Africa for essential minerals, such as cobalt, among others, Indian Mines Secretary V L Kantha Rao on Friday.
Rao mentioned that the guidelines for the auction of offshore mineral blocks are in the final stages of preparation.
Rao mentioned that the guidelines for the auction of offshore mineral blocks are in the final stages of preparation: at least 10 offshore blocks would be made available for sale. However, the auction of these offshore blocks would be scheduled after the elections.
The outcome of the initial round of the critical minerals auction would be disclosed within the next ten days.
The lithium block in Jammu and Kashmir, which was initially offered for sale in the first round, will now be included in the third tranche due to receiving only two bids, Rao elaborated. The government initiated the third tranche of auctions for critical and strategic minerals earlier this month, comprising a total of seven mineral blocks.
"These seven mineral blocks are being auctioned under the second attempt of the auction as outlined in sub-rules 10 and 11(b) of rule 9 of the Mineral (Auction) Rules 2015," stated the mines ministry in a released statement. So far, the Indian Central government has commenced auctions for 38 critical and strategic minerals.