Ministry of Mines to Launch Second Tranche of Exploration Licence Auctions

• Exploration Licence (EL) is a new mineral concession introduced by the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 to enable private-sector reconnaissance + prospecting of 29 deep-seated and critical minerals.
• The 2nd Tranche of EL auctions was launched by the Ministry of Mines on 12 February 2026 at CSOI, New Delhi, covering 11 blocks across 8 States.
• Strategic significance: secures supply of critical minerals (Li, REE, Co, Ni, PGE etc.) essential for EV, semiconductor, renewable-energy and defence value chains — a recurring UPSC theme.