Panaji, March 13 -- Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy on Thursday launched the nation's first-ever auction of Exploration Licences (ELs) in Goa, which aims to unlock India's untapped critical and deep-seated mineral resources.

The programme also featured a roadshow on the 5th Tranche of Critical Mineral Blocks and the launch of AI Hackathon 2025, a Mineral Exploration Hackathon focused on 'Mineral Targeting using AI'.

Reddy launched the ELs in the presence of Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant.

Speaking to mediapersons, Union Minister Reddy said, "On behalf of the Mining Ministry, I held a high-level meeting in Goa today. We discussed how we should increase the activities in the mining sector in India in the coming da...