Way2mining
Ariyalur District
Tamilnadu.
Back in 2015, India changed how mining rights were awarded. The Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2015 scrapped discretionary allocations and introduced a transparent auction system. Licences ran for 50 years, revenues were shared with mining-affected districts through the District Mineral Foundation (DMF), and mining rights were given to the highest bidder.
It worked—but often got stuck between auction wins and actual mining.
That’s why the rules are evolving.
April 2025 Amendment: Indian subsidiaries can now use the net worth of their foreign parent companies when bidding. This opens the field for deeper-pocketed global players.
May 2025 Draft Rules: Strict timelines for approvals, penalties if miners delay, rebates if governments delay, and cancellation if bidders fail to furnish performance security.
Why the urgency? Because India needs critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and copper for EVs, solar panels, and energy storage. The 2025 rules are designed to make auctions faster, fairer, and more effective.
Big Story :
The 2015 auction rules set the foundation. The 2025 updates add urgency, speed, and accountability—so mining rights don’t just stay in files, but translate into real minerals on the ground.
Share This News