Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi on November 29 launched the auction of 20 critical minerals worth Rs 45,000 crore.Of the 20 minerals put on sale, two are lithium blocks, Joshi said.
One of the lithium blocks is in Jammu & Kashmir, while the other is in Chhattisgarh.
“For the first time, ever we have identified critical and deep seated minerals. We have not just identified it but we have also put it up for auction today,” the minister told reporters here.
The 20 blocks on sale are across various states, including Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Bihar, he said.
“The total worth of these blocks is Rs 45,000 crore,” Joshi said, adding that the entire revenue accrued from these mineral blocks will go to the states.
The minister further said the auction process will close on February 20. Of the 20 mineral blocks, 16 have been put up for grant of composite licence and four for grant of mining lease.
