India Offers 11 Critical Mineral Exploration Blocks

India is offering 11 deep-seated mineral exploration blocks across eight states, Union Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy said Thursday. The offering includes five rare-earth element blocks, two vanadium-titanium, two diamond, one lead-zinc and one zirconium block, with average areas of about 187 sq km, alongside a new AI/ML-enabled Geological Survey of India digital portal. The government also offers premium-sharing and reimbursement of up to half exploration costs.