The government on Thursday put 18 critical and strategic mineral blocks with an estimated value of Rs 30 trillion under the second tranche of critical minerals auction. The minerals include graphite, tungsten, vanadium, rare earth elements, nickel, potash, and cobalt, among others.
“After today, potash mining can start in India for the first time. It will greatly help the nation’s farmers who are our Annadata,” the Union minister for coal and mines Pralhad Joshi said.The two potash blocks are located in Hanumangarh and Bikaner in Rajasthan. Domestic exploration and production of potash will further contribute to reduce imports, thus saving foreign exchange, the minister emphasised.Out of the 18 critical mineral blocks up for auction,
