CM Sai urges investors to join mineral block auction in Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh is emerging as an important contributor to India’s strategic supply chain in critical minerals required for defence equipment, clean energy, electric vehicles, batteries, electronics and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. The state has significant potential for critical minerals, including lithium, graphite, rare earth elements, tungsten, vanadium and gallium.

A roadshow was organised by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, in Nava Raipur for the eighth tranche of auctions of critical and strategic mineral blocks. The eighth tranche includes 20 mineral blocks across seven states, including five blocks from Chhattisgarh. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai called upon investors to actively participate in the auction of these blocks. Chhattisgarh has so far auctioned 65 mineral blocks, with a potential revenue of around Rs 4 lakh crore.

The Chief Minister said minerals such as lithium, graphite and rare earth elements are important for batteries, energy storage, electronics, drones, defence equipment and advanced manufacturing. The state government has also emphasised environmental protection alongside mining. According to the State Government, the forest area in Chhattisgarh has increased by 1.22 per cent through sustainable mining practices, reflecting the focus on both mineral development and environmental conservation.

Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey said that self-reliance in critical and strategic minerals is essential for India’s economic and strategic strength. He called upon investors, youth and startups to take advantage of the opportunities emerging in this sector and emphasised sustainable and responsible mining, along with environmental protection and the interests of local communities.

Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu said the success of mineral block auctions should be reflected in exploration, investment, processing, value addition and employment generation. He also emphasised the need for planned development of civic infrastructure such as housing, transport, drinking water, healthcare and education in mining areas.

Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of India, Keshav Chandra said that the auction process for 88 critical and strategic mineral blocks has been initiated across the country so far, of which 56 blocks have been successfully auctioned. He said the country’s first lithium-bearing mineral block was auctioned from the Katghora Lithium and Rare Earth Element block in Chhattisgarh.

He added that several reforms, including time-bound approvals, milestone-based compliance and a Unified Mining Portal, have been introduced to make the auction process more transparent and investor-friendly.