New Delhi, Feb. 21 -- India plans to maximise the auction of critical mineral blocks by 2031, advancing its strategic push to secure domestic supply chains for minerals essential to the country's green energy and technology sectors.

Speaking at a FICCI conference, 'Critical Minerals Matrix', Union Minister of State for Mines and Coal, Satish Chandra Dubey, outlined the government's strategic approach to reducing import dependency for critical minerals.

The announcement follows the recent launch of the National Critical Minerals Mission, which has allocated Rs 34,300 crore over seven years to strengthen India's position in the critical minerals sector.

"The government has already auctioned 24 critical mineral blocks domestically, and we...