India's Mineral Block Auctions Surge in 2025-26
India's mine block operationalisation picks up
Image: The Economic Times
India's mining sector has seen a notable increase in the operationalisation and auction of mineral blocks, with 36 blocks operationalised in fiscal 2025-26 alone. The pace of auctions has accelerated significantly, with a record 212 blocks auctioned in the same year, marking the highest in the auction regime's history.
- 01In fiscal 2025-26, 36 mineral blocks were operationalised, including 28 greenfield and 8 brownfield blocks.
- 02From fiscal 2015-16 to 2024-25, only 58 blocks were operationalised, indicating a sharp increase in recent years.
- 03108 mineral blocks were auctioned between FY 2015-16 and FY 2020-21, compared to 364 blocks auctioned from FY 2021-22 to FY 2024-25.
- 04The average number of auctioned blocks per year increased to about 90 from FY 2021-22 to FY 2024-25.
- 05The fiscal year 2025-26 set a record with 212 mineral blocks auctioned, the highest in a single financial year since the auction regime began.
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The operationalisation and auction of mineral blocks in India have gained significant momentum in recent years, as reported by the Ministry of Mines. In the fiscal year 2025-26, a total of 36 mineral blocks were successfully operationalised, comprising 28 greenfield and 8 brownfield blocks. This marks a considerable improvement compared to the 58 blocks operationalised from fiscal 2015-16 to 2024-25. The recent ninth monthly review meeting, chaired by Secretary of Mines Piyush Goyal, emphasized the need for reforms in the mining sector to boost domestic mineral production and ensure timely operationalisation of auctioned blocks. Notably, 108 mineral blocks were auctioned between FY 2015-16 and FY 2020-21, while a remarkable 364 blocks were auctioned from FY 2021-22 to FY 2024-25, averaging around 90 blocks per year. The fiscal year 2025-26 has set a new benchmark with 212 blocks auctioned, representing the highest number of mineral block auctions conducted in a single financial year since the auction regime's inception.
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The increase in operationalisation and auction of mineral blocks is expected to boost domestic mineral production, create jobs, and enhance economic activity in the mining sector.
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