Chhattisgarh pitches critical minerals potential at auction roadshow
Chhattisgarh is positioning itself as a key link in India's critical minerals supply chain, with five of its mineral blocks included in the Centre's eighth tranche of auctions. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, speaking at a roadshow organised by the Union Ministry of Mines in Nava Raipur, urged investors to participate actively in the auction process, saying the state's mineral base could support industries ranging from defence and clean energy to electric vehicles, batteries, electronics and artificial intelligence.
The eighth tranche comprises 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks spread across seven states, with five in Chhattisgarh. Sai said the state does not want to remain merely a producer of raw minerals and is instead looking to develop a larger value chain around them.
State's mineral wealth and progress
Chhattisgarh has identified potential deposits of lithium and rare earth elements in the Katghora and Bastar regions, while Balrampur holds potential for graphite, vanadium and gallium. According to the state government, 65 mineral blocks have so far been auctioned in Chhattisgarh, with an estimated revenue potential of around Rs 4 lakh crore. Over the past two-and-a-half years, 40 exploration projects have been taken up and more than 2,800 kilometres of geological surveys completed.
Union Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra said the auction process for 88 critical and strategic mineral blocks has been initiated across the country, of which 56 have been successfully auctioned. He also noted that the Katghora lithium and rare earth element block was the first lithium-bearing mineral block to be auctioned in India. Sai said minerals such as lithium, graphite and rare earth elements were increasingly important for batteries, energy storage, drones, defence systems and advanced manufacturing.
Government initiatives and official statements
The roadshow also saw the launch of two digital initiatives: the 'e-Ret Sangwari' portal, aimed at facilitating sand supply, and the 'Tin' portal for tribal families engaged in tin-related activities. MoUs were signed for financial assistance in the mining sector and for training in corundum cutting and polishing.
Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey said achieving self-reliance in critical and strategic minerals is vital for India's economic and strategic security. Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu stressed the need for planned development of civic infrastructure in mining areas, emphasising that the benefits of mineral block auctions should translate into processing, value addition and employment generation.
The roadshow was organised by the Union Ministry of Mines in preparation for the eighth tranche of auctions, highlighting Chhattisgarh's growing importance in India's critical mineral landscape.