New Delhi: In a historic milestone for India’s mining and agricultural sectors, the country has successfully auctioned Potash blocks for the first time. Union Minister G Kishan Reddy praised the move as a bold step under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to reduce fertiliser import dependence and empower Indian farmers. This breakthrough sets the stage for a self-reliant future in fertiliser minerals.
Ten Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks Auctioned in Tranche V, Including 2 Potash Blocks for the First Time in India
The tranche V auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks which was launched on 28th January, 2025 has concluded with successful auction of 10 out of 15 blocks put on auction. These 10 blocks comprise critical and strategic minerals such as Graphite, Phosphorite, Phosphate, Rare Earth Elements (REE), Vanadium, and for the first time, Potash and Halite Spread across Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. With this, the total number of blocks auctioned by the Central Government has reached 34.
For the First Time in India!
Paving the Way for Potash MiningIndia takes a bold leap towards self-reliance in fertiliser minerals under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji. By unlocking the potential of potash mining, we are set to reduce import dependence and… pic.twitter.com/NC5IGWoM7a
— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) May 27, 2025
A key milestone under Trache V is the first-ever successful auction of a Potash block by the Government of India, marking a major step towards unlocking domestic Potash resources. The move is expected to catalyse Potash mining in the country, reduce reliance on imports, and strengthen support to the agriculture sector. This milestone also marks the first-ever successful auction of a critical & strategic mineral block in the State of Rajasthan.
Till date a total of 34 blocks have been successfully auction in 5 tranches out of 55 critical mineral blocks which were put for auction. Regular auction of critical mineral blocks is an important element in the strategy adopted by Ministry of mines towards building self-sufficiency in critical minerals in the country.
The Ministry of Mines is also focusing on exploration of critical minerals in the country and has launched National Critical Mineral Mission for development of critical mineral ecosystem in the country. The Ministry acknowledges valuable participation of industry stakeholders in auctions as well as other initiatives towards building self-sufficiency in critical minerals.
