Auction of lithium block annulled due to lack of bids

Minister of Mines G Kishan Reddy informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday that the auction for the lithium block in Reasi district had to be annulled due to non-receipt of bids.

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In response to a related question, Reddy confirmed that lithium deposits had been discovered in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir and the blocks have been explored up to the G3 level. He explained, “Two blocks, namely Salal-Haimna Lithium, Titanium and Bauxite (Aluminous Laterite) block in Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir and Katghora Lithium and REE block in Korba district of Chhattisgarh were placed for auction. Out of these blocks, Katghora Lithium and REE block was auctioned successfully, while the auction of Salal-Haimna Lithium, Titanium and Bauxite (Aluminous Laterite) block has been annulled due to no receipt of bids."

Reddy also highlighted that the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 was amended through the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, effective from August 17, 2023. The amendment inserted section 11D, which grants the Central Government the authority to exclusively auction mining leases and composite licenses for 'critical and strategic minerals,' including lithium.

“As on date, Katghora Lithium and REE block, Chhattisgarh has been successfully auctioned,” Reddy noted. He further added that the Geological Survey of India has intensified efforts to explore critical minerals, including lithium.