Mines Ministry hosts national workshop on exploration licence regime and upcoming tranche-1 auction

New Delhi: The Ministry of Mines on Tuesday organised a National Workshop and Roadshow on the Exploration Licence (EL) regime and the forthcoming Tranche-1 auction of EL blocks at The Ambassador Hotel, New Delhi. The event aimed to engage stakeholders, raise awareness, and disseminate critical insights on the recently introduced EL framework under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023.

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Delivering the keynote address, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, VL Kantha Rao underlined the transformative nature of the EL regime in tapping India’s critical and deep-seated mineral resources. He said the policy transitions the sector from passive mineral ownership to proactive exploration, particularly for strategic minerals like Lithium, Rare Earth Elements (REEs), Gold, Diamond, and Platinum Group Elements (PGEs).

Mustaq Ahmad, Director, Ministry of Mines, provided a comprehensive overview of the EL policy and its regulatory features, highlighting its focus on enabling private sector participation, encouraging advanced exploration technologies, and building a robust pipeline of mineral assets.

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) shared insights into the geological potential of EL blocks identified for the Tranche-1 auction. SK Basir, Deputy Director General, GSI, emphasized the strategic significance of blocks spread across ten states.

To ensure transparency and investor confidence, Lovesh Singla, Vice President, SBI Capital Markets, explained the e-auction process, eligibility requirements, and tender document structure. This was complemented by a live demonstration of the MSTC portal by Setu D Sharma, Senior Manager, MSTC.

Sebabrata Das, Senior Geologist, NMET, introduced a financial support scheme for EL holders, which includes partial reimbursement of eligible exploration expenses to mitigate risks and encourage broader participation.

The workshop concluded with remarks by Shri Sanjay Lohiya, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Mines, who reaffirmed the government’s vision for a competitive, technology-driven, and investor-friendly exploration ecosystem.

Key auction dates were also announced:

- Pre-bid conference: April 22, 2025

- Last date for submission of queries: April 30, 2025

- Tender document purchase deadline: May 16, 2025

- Bid submission deadline: May 26, 2025

The event saw participation from Central and State government officials, PSUs, industry associations, exploration firms, and investors, underscoring the Ministry’s commitment to creating a transparent and inclusive mineral exploration framework.

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