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Chhattisgarh Seeks Complete Mineral Value Chain Through Critical-Mineral Auction
Chhattisgarh wants to do more than take minerals out of the ground.
It plans to explore, mine, process, recycle and use minerals to make advanced products inside the state.
The state invited companies to bid for five mineral blocks in a national auction.
Officials said the area may contain minerals such as lithium, rare earth elements, graphite and vanadium.
These minerals are used in products such as batteries, semiconductors, clean-energy equipment and advanced technology.
The government said mineral revenue has grown greatly since Chhattisgarh was formed.
It also said mining should protect nature and local communities.
Two online services were launched to support housing beneficiaries and tribal tin producers.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said Chhattisgarh aims to develop a complete mineral value chain within the state.
The eighth auction tranche includes 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks across seven states, including five in Chhattisgarh.
Officials identified potential deposits of lithium, rare earth elements, graphite, vanadium, gallium and other minerals.
Chhattisgarh’s annual mineral revenue has risen from about ₹400 crore at state formation to more than ₹16,000 crore.
Officials highlighted 65 auctioned blocks, 40 exploration projects and more than 2,800 kilometres of geological surveys.
- Who
- Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Union minister of state Satish Chandra Dubey and state officials.
- What
- Chhattisgarh promoted the auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks and outlined plans for an integrated mineral value chain.
- Where
- Mayfair Lake Resort in Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
- When
- Monday, during a roadshow for the eighth auction tranche.
- Why
- To attract investment, develop mineral processing and manufacturing, strengthen domestic supply and create employment.
Industrial Development
Responsible Mining
State mining strategy
Industrial Development
Sai urged investors to pursue processing, value addition, innovation and downstream manufacturing rather than limiting activity to mineral extraction.
Responsible Mining
Dubey emphasized self-reliance in critical minerals while calling for responsible mining and protection of the environment and local communities.
Project implementation
Industrial Development
State officials said investment incentives and handholding for approvals could help develop new industries and create employment.
Responsible Mining
Officials said environmental, forest, land-acquisition and community considerations must be addressed through the approval process.
Key facts
- Auction tranche
- The eighth tranche includes 20 blocks across seven states, with five in Chhattisgarh.
- Planned value chain
- The state plans to cover exploration, mining, processing, value addition, advanced manufacturing and recycling.
- Mineral potential
- Officials cited lithium and rare earth elements in Katghora and Bastar, along with graphite, vanadium, gallium, phosphorite, nickel, chromium and glauconite in other districts.
- Mineral revenue
- Annual revenue rose from about ₹400 crore when Chhattisgarh was formed to more than ₹16,000 crore, according to the state government.
- Exploration activity
- Officials said 40 exploration projects began over the past two and a half years and more than 2,800 kilometres of geological surveys were completed.
- Auction record
- Chhattisgarh has auctioned 65 mineral blocks, with potential revenue estimated at around ₹4 lakh crore.
- Digital initiatives
- E-Ret Sangwari will support concessional sand supply for housing beneficiaries, while the Tin Portal is intended to improve procurement transparency and prices for tribal tin producers in Dantewada.
Sources
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