New Delhi, March 14 -- The Ministry of Mines on Thursday launched the first tranche of auctions under the exploration license (EL) regime, five months after amending regulations to take charge of EL auctions due to delays by state governments, media reports said.

This tranche features 13 blocks spread across 10 states, covering deposits of critical and deep-seated minerals such as gold, copper, diamonds, zinc, rare earth elements (REE), vanadium, and zirconium, according to an Indian Express report.

These minerals are vital for industries including electronics, renewable energy, defence, and aerospace.

The mines ministry assumed responsibility for EL auctions in October 2023 after only six out of 14 state governments, which were alloca...