Archive · 5 Oct 2026
India Invites Applications to Establish New Mineral Exchanges
India is inviting companies to apply to run new places for trading minerals.
At first, these exchanges can trade iron, chromite, bauxite, limestone, and manganese.
The government wants the platforms to make mineral prices easier to discover and trading more transparent.
They are also meant to help buyers and sellers agree on supplies and delivery dates.
Companies must meet financial and legal requirements to apply.
An approved registration lasts 25 years.
Existing commodity trading platforms must register under the new rules within six months after the first mineral exchange starts operating.
Otherwise, they must stop operating.
The Indian Bureau of Mines invited eligible companies to apply to establish mineral exchanges, with applications due November 2 by 3 p.m.
An exchange may initially trade iron, chromite, bauxite, limestone, manganese, or any selection of those minerals.
The government says the exchanges are intended to support transparent price discovery, efficient trading, and reliable delivery under contracts.
Existing commodity trading platforms must register as mineral exchanges within six months after the first exchange begins operating or cease operations.
Applicants must be companies limited by shares with a minimum net worth of Rs 50 crore; registration lasts 25 years.
- Who
- The Indian Bureau of Mines invited eligible companies to apply.
- What
- Applications are being sought to establish mineral exchanges.
- When
- The application notice was made available on October 3; applications are due November 2 by 3 p.m. The Mineral Exchange Rules, 2026, were notified on June 30.
- Where
- Applications must be submitted to the Controller of Mines, Minerals Development and Regulation Division, Indian Bureau of Mines, Nagpur.
- Why
- The government aims to create technology-enabled platforms for transparent and efficient mineral trading, price discovery, and contract-based supply.
- Application deadline
- November 2, by 3 p.m.
- Initial minerals
- Iron, chromite, bauxite, limestone, and manganese
- Minimum applicant net worth
- Rs 50 crore
- Registration validity
- 25 years
- Application fee
- Rs 3 lakh, non-refundable
- One-time registration fee
- Rs 50 lakh
- Annual fee
- Rs 30 lakh
- Renewal fee
- Rs 2 crore