Archive · 18 Jan 2026
Oil India explores critical minerals in Arunachal
Oil India is exploring for important minerals like graphite, vanadium, and potash in different parts of India.
They are looking in Arunachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.
They have also found natural gas in the Andaman Nicobar Basin.
This is important because these minerals are needed for new technologies and green energy.
The company is working with other international companies to make these discoveries useful for everyone.
They are also doing more tests to understand how much oil and gas is there.
This will help India use its own resources instead of buying from other countries.
Oil India has started exploring for critical minerals like graphite, vanadium, and potash in Arunachal Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The company has been selected as the preferred bidder for the Phop Graphite and Vanadium Block in Arunachal Pradesh.
Oil India is also exploring for potash in the north of Bikaner in Rajasthan, with potential deposits at a depth of 500-600 meters.
In the Andaman Nicobar Basin, Oil India has established the presence of hydrocarbons and is undertaking an appraisal process to make it a commercial discovery.
The company is collaborating with international oil companies and has signed a collaborative agreement.
- Who
- Oil India
- What
- Critical mineral exploration and oil appraisal
- When
- January 18, 2026
- Where
- Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman Nicobar Basin, Rajasthan
- Why
- To reduce India's dependence on imports and establish commercial viability of oil and gas reserves
- Organization
- Oil India
- Location
- Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman Nicobar Basin, Rajasthan
- Critical Minerals
- Graphite, Vanadium, Potash
- Depth of Exploration
- 2,600 m (Arunachal), 500-600 m (Rajasthan)
- Event
- PanIIT Tech4Bharat Summit 2026
- Speaker
- Ranjit Rath (Oil India CMD)
- Policy
- Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP)
- Blocks Allocated
- 4 blocks in Andaman-Nicobar Basin (23,261 sq km)