Govt cancels auction of 5 critical mineral blocks due to poor response

The government has cancelled the auction of five critical mineral blocks, including a rare earth element (REE) block in Karnataka, in the fifth round of auction due to poor response.

There were no bids for three blocks — two glauconite mines in Gujarat and Chhattisgarh and one Nickel and PGE (Platinum Group Element) block in Karnataka, which led to cancellation of their auction, the mines ministry said in a notice.

Besides, sale of two other blocks — a tungsten mine in Maharashtra and an REE block in Karnataka — was annulled for lack of minimum three technically qualified bidders, it said.