Coal India, Hindustan Zinc, Oil India Top Bidders In Critical Mineral Auctions

Coal India Ltd., Hindustan Zinc Ltd., and Oil India Ltd. have emerged as preferred bidders in the fifth tranche of the auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks, the Ministry of Mines said in a press release.

Coal India was named preferred bidder for the Oranga-Revatipur graphite and vanadium block in Chhattisgarh, while Oil India secured the Jorkian-Satipura-Khunja amalgamated potash and halite block in Rajasthan.

Hindustan Zinc won bids for two blocks: the Jhandawali-Satipura potash and halite block in Rajasthan, and the Nawatola-Laband rare earth elements block in Uttar Pradesh. This marks the first-ever auction of a potash block by the government; an important step towards reducing import dependence and bolstering the domestic agricultural sector, the ministry said.

With the latest round, the Centre has successfully auctioned 34 of the 55 mineral blocks offered so far.

Other successful bidders include NLC India Ltd. for two phosphorite and limestone blocks in Chhattisgarh, Ramgad Minerals and Mining Ltd. for a phosphate and rare earth block in Karnataka, and Sunflag Iron and Steel Company Ltd. for a phosphorite block in Madhya Pradesh.