Five critical mineral blocks in Chhattisgarh up for auction, Chief Minister calls for investor participation
Chief Minister launches E-Ret Sangwari and Tin Portal
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday said Chhattisgarh aims to build a complete mineral value chain within the state, covering exploration, mining, processing, value addition, advanced manufacturing and recycling.
Addressing a roadshow for the eighth tranche of the auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks, organised by the Union Ministry of Mines at Mayfair Lake Resort in Nava Raipur, Shri Sai said the state’s mineral wealth and emerging potential in critical minerals can attract investment, support new industries and create employment opportunities for youth.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said India is rapidly strengthening its position as a major economic and technological power under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Initiatives such as Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat and the National Critical Mineral Mission have accelerated exploration and processing of critical minerals and the development of advanced industries based on them.
With major countries securing strategic resources and supply chains amid changing global conditions, self-reliance in critical and strategic minerals is essential for both India’s economic interests and national security.
He added that critical minerals are also central to the new economy, from defence and AI to semiconductors, batteries, clean energy, electric mobility, digital technology and advanced manufacturing.
He said India’s growing defence capabilities and indigenous technology, including during Operation Sindoor, underline the need for a secure and continuous supply of strategic minerals. Lithium, graphite, rare earth elements, vanadium, nickel and chromium will play an increasingly important role in the economy of the future.
Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh has significant potential for lithium and rare earth elements in Katghora and Bastar, graphite, vanadium and gallium in Balrampur, phosphorite in Balod, and nickel, chromium and glauconite in Mahasamund.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said the eighth installment of the auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks includes 20 blocks across seven states, including five blocks in Chhattisgarh. He urged investors to actively participate in the auction, describing the blocks as an opportunity to develop exploration, processing, value addition, innovation and new industries in the state.
Chief Minister said the state government is working to create an investment-friendly environment through its new industrial policy and measures to improve ease of doing business. He said incentives including capital investment assistance, stamp duty and electricity duty exemptions, interest subsidies and employment-linked incentives are available to investors.
He said Chhattisgarh’s mineral revenue was around Rs 400 crore when the state was formed. It stood at around Rs 12,000 crore two and a half years ago and has now risen to more than Rs 16,000 crore. Revenue generated from mineral resources is being used for development and public welfare, including projects in mining-affected areas through the District Mineral Foundation Trust.
Chief Minister also launched the E-Ret Sangwari and Tin Portal. The e-Ret Sangwari portal will facilitate the supply of sand at concessional rates to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The Tin Portal has been introduced to help tribal communities associated with tin in the Dantewada region receive fair prices for their produce and bring greater transparency to the process.
Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Shri Satish Chandra Dubey said self-reliance in critical and strategic minerals is essential for India’s economic and strategic strength. He urged investors, young people and startups to explore opportunities in the sector while stressing responsible mining and protection of the environment and local communities.
Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Tokhan Sahu said the success of mineral block auctions should be reflected in exploration, investment, processing facilities, technological development, value addition and employment generation. He also called for planned development of civic infrastructure in areas witnessing mining and industrial investment.
Chief Secretary Shri Vikas Sheel said the state government will provide handholding support to investors for environmental, forest, land acquisition and other required approvals. He urged investors to look beyond mining and consider investments across the mineral value chain and downstream industries.
Union Ministry of Mines Secretary Shri Keshav Chandra said 88 critical and strategic mineral blocks had so far been put up for auction across the country, with 56 successfully auctioned. He said the first lithium-bearing mineral block in India to be auctioned was the Katghora lithium and rare earth element block in Chhattisgarh.
Mineral Resources Secretary Shri P. Dayanand said the state is strengthening scientific exploration, geological data collection, mapping and transparent auction systems to support mineral-based industries, local employment and value addition.
Director of Mineral Resources and Managing Director of CMDC Shri Rajat Bansal said that, under the directions of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the state is focusing on scientific exploration of mineral resources alongside sustainable mining practices. Chhattisgarh received around Rs 16,700 crore in mineral revenue in the last financial year, about 98% of the target, with mineral revenue registering around 14% year-on-year growth. Over the past two and a half years, 40 exploration projects have been launched and more than 2,800 km of geological surveys completed. So far, 65 mineral blocks have been auctioned, with potential revenue estimated at around Rs 4 lakh crore.
He said Chhattisgarh has significant potential for lithium, graphite, vanadium, gallium, gold, tungsten, nickel, chromium, copper, lead-zinc and diamonds. Exploration and auction processes are progressing in areas including lithium in Katghora, graphite-vanadium-gallium in Balrampur and the tin belt in Bastar. Digital systems such as Khanij Online 2.0, DMF 2.0 and e-auction have strengthened transparency and accountability in the mineral sector, while drone surveys are being used to monitor mines and minor minerals.
Meanwhile, two MoUs were also signed during the programme. Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation entered into an agreement with Indian Overseas Bank for financial cooperation, while another MoU with Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University will support training in corundum cutting and polishing.
A book on minor minerals was also released, while the process of issuing NITs for three limestone mining lease blocks was also initiated.
Union Ministry of Mines Joint Secretary Shri Kadam Sandeep Vasant, senior officials from the central and state governments, investors from the mineral sector, industry representatives, experts and various stakeholders were also present at the programme.