Jaipur, July 25 -- Rajasthan has taken the lead in India's mineral sector, emerging as the top state in the country for major mineral block auctions. With more than 20% of the nation's total mineral block allocations, the state has established a new benchmark, stated a release from the chief minister's office on Thursday. "Out of the 500 blocks allocated nationwide since 2016, as many as 103 have been awarded to Rajasthan, highlighting its aggressive push for transparent and efficient mining practices. In just the last 18 months, the state has auctioned 64 blocks, and is now focused on speeding up their operations to drive investment, employment, and revenue growth," it added. With a zero-tolerance policy against illegal mining, the state government has intensified crackdowns and simultaneously promoted legal mining. The department of mines has implemented an efficient model covering exploration, delineation, block preparation, and transparent auctioning. Within three months of assuming office (by March 2024), 15 major mineral blocks were auctioned via the MSTC portal. In 2024-25 alone, 34 blocks were auctioned, setting a new record. As of July 2025, 15 blocks have already been auctioned for the current financial year, with the process ongoing for 12 more. The department has also registered a sharp increase in royalty revenue, collecting Rs.9,228 crore in 2024-25, 24% more than the previous year. To operationalise the auctioned blocks swiftly, the state government has constituted a post-auction facilitation cell to streamline approvals and coordination. In July, the mines department brought together key departments and stakeholders - Revenue, Forest and Environment, Indian Bureau of Mines, and the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) - to remove procedural bottlenecks and speed up the process. A strategy has also been developed to bring 10 new mines into operation by November-December. The central government has also acknowledged Rajasthan's effective auction model. At the third National Conference of State Mining Ministers held in Konark, Odisha, in January, the ministry of mines awarded Rajasthan first prize for its exemplary performance in mineral block auctions. So far, mining leases have been granted for 77 blocks and composite licences for 26 blocks. These include 75 limestone, 11 iron ore, five base metal, three manganese, two gold, four siliceous earth, two potash, and one garnet block. Rajasthan's achievements have strengthened its position as a national leader in mineral development and sustainable mining practices....