Bhubaneswar, May 8: India’s mineral sector has achieved a landmark milestone with the successful operationalization of 101 auctioned mineral blocks, with highest 34 blocks being operationalised in the Odisha, since the introduction of the auction regime in 2015, said an official release on Friday.

According to Ministry of Mines, among the States, Odisha leads with 34 operationalized blocks, followed by Karnataka with 18 blocks and Gujarat with 11 blocks. Other contributing States include Madhya Pradesh (10), Rajasthan (8), Goa (6), Andhra Pradesh (5), Chhattisgarh (5), Maharashtra (3), and Assam (1). Notably, Assam operationalized its block within just nine months of issuance of the Letter of Intent (LoI), demonstrating administrative efficiency and effective coordination.

The operationalised blocks cover a diverse basket of minerals critical to industrial development. Iron Ore accounts for 47 blocks, followed by Limestone with 29 blocks. The portfolio also includes Bauxite, Manganese Ore, Chromite, and other associated minerals that support key sectors such as steel, cement, aluminium, and infrastructure.

The Ministry of Mines commends all State Governments for their proactive efforts, policy support, and administrative efficiency in bringing these auctioned blocks into operation. The successful operationalization of 101 auctioned blocks since 2015 reflects the strengthening of India’s mining governance framework and reaffirms the Government’s commitment to a transparent, efficient, and sustainable mineral sector that ensures long-term resource security and contributes to the nation’s economic development.

“Since the introduction of the auction regime in 2015, India has witnessed unprecedented progress in transparent and competitive mineral resource allocation, with a large number of mineral blocks auctioned across the country. Of these, 101 auctioned mineral blocks have already been operationalized, marking a major milestone in the effective implementation of mining reforms,” the release stated.

Notably, FY 2025–26 recorded the highest-ever annual performance under the auction regime, with 212 mineral blocks auctioned in a single financial year, reflecting the growing momentum, efficiency, and credibility of India’s transparent mineral allocation framework.