CM Sai unveils E-Ret Sangwari and Tin Portal; five critical mineral blocks in state included in eighth auction tranche
TFP Bureau, Raipur, August 31, 2026: Chhattisgarh is working towards establishing a complete mineral value chain within the state, covering exploration, mining, processing, value addition, advanced manufacturing and recycling, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said on Monday.
Addressing a roadshow organised by the Union Ministry of Mines at Mayfair Lake Resort, Nava Raipur, for the eighth tranche of auctions of critical and strategic mineral blocks, Sai said the state’s mineral wealth and emerging potential in critical minerals could attract investments, promote new industries and generate employment opportunities for the state’s youth.
The eighth tranche comprises 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks across seven states, including five blocks in Chhattisgarh. Sai urged investors to participate actively in the auction and described the blocks as an opportunity to develop exploration, processing, value addition, innovation and downstream industries in the state.
Critical minerals vital for economic and national security
Sai said India was strengthening its position as an economic and technological power under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, with initiatives such as Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat and the National Critical Mineral Mission accelerating exploration, processing and the development of advanced industries.
He said critical minerals have become indispensable to sectors ranging from defence, artificial intelligence and semiconductors to batteries, clean energy, electric mobility, digital technology and advanced manufacturing.
Amid changing global supply chains and increasing competition among countries to secure strategic resources, he stressed that self-reliance in critical and strategic minerals was essential for India’s economic interests as well as national security.
The Chief Minister said Chhattisgarh has considerable potential for lithium and rare earth elements in Katghora and Bastar; graphite, vanadium and gallium in Balrampur; phosphorite in Balod; and nickel, chromium and glauconite in Mahasamund.
Investment incentives to strengthen mining sector
Sai said the state government was creating an investor-friendly environment through its new industrial policy and measures aimed at improving ease of doing business.
Investors can avail themselves of incentives such as capital investment assistance, stamp duty and electricity duty exemptions, interest subsidies and employment-linked incentives, he said.
Highlighting the growth in mineral revenue, Sai said Chhattisgarh’s mineral revenue was around ₹400 crore when the state was formed. It increased to around ₹12,000 crore two-and-a-half years ago and has now crossed ₹16,000 crore.
He said the revenue generated from mineral resources was being utilised for development and public welfare, including projects in mining-affected areas through District Mineral Foundation Trusts.
E-Ret Sangwari, Tin Portal launched
The Chief Minister also launched the E-Ret Sangwari and Tin Portal during the roadshow.
The E-Ret Sangwari portal will facilitate the supply of sand at concessional rates to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The Tin Portal aims to ensure fair prices and greater transparency for tribal communities associated with tin production in the Dantewada region.
Two MoUs were also signed during the programme. The Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation entered into an agreement with Indian Overseas Bank for financial cooperation, while another agreement with Pt Ravishankar Shukla University will support training in corundum cutting and polishing.
A book on minor minerals was released, while the process for issuing Notices Inviting Tenders (NITs) for three limestone mining lease blocks was also initiated.
Centre stresses responsible mining and value addition
Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey said self-reliance in critical and strategic minerals was essential for India’s economic and strategic strength. He urged investors, young people and startups to explore opportunities in the sector while emphasising responsible mining and protection of the environment and local communities.
Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu said the success of mineral block auctions should translate into exploration, investment, processing facilities, technological development, value addition and employment generation. He also stressed the need for planned civic infrastructure in areas witnessing mining and industrial investment.
Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel assured investors of handholding support for environmental, forest, land acquisition and other statutory approvals. He urged investors to look beyond mining and explore opportunities across the entire mineral value chain and downstream industries.
88 critical mineral blocks auctioned so far
Union Ministry of Mines Secretary Keshav Chandra said 88 critical and strategic mineral blocks had so far been offered for auction across the country, of which 56 had been successfully auctioned.
He noted that the first lithium-bearing mineral block auctioned in India was the Katghora lithium and rare earth element block in Chhattisgarh.
Mineral Resources Secretary P. Dayanand said the state was strengthening scientific exploration, geological data collection, mapping and transparent auction mechanisms to promote mineral-based industries, local employment and value addition.
65 mineral blocks auctioned in Chhattisgarh
Mineral Resources Director and CMDC Managing Director Rajat Bansal said Chhattisgarh was focusing on scientific exploration alongside sustainable mining practices.
The state recorded around ₹16,700 crore in mineral revenue during the last financial year, approximately 98% of the target, with revenue registering around 14% year-on-year growth, he said.
Over the past two-and-a-half years, 40 exploration projects have been launched and more than 2,800 km of geological surveys completed. A total of 65 mineral blocks have been auctioned so far, with potential revenue estimated at around ₹4 lakh crore.
Bansal said the state has significant potential for lithium, graphite, vanadium, gallium, gold, tungsten, nickel, chromium, copper, lead-zinc and diamonds. Exploration and auction activities are progressing in areas including Katghora’s lithium deposits, Balrampur’s graphite-vanadium-gallium resources and the tin belt of Bastar.
Digital platforms such as Khanij Online 2.0, DMF 2.0 and e-auction systems have strengthened transparency and accountability in the sector, while drone surveys are being deployed for monitoring mines and minor minerals, he added.
Union Ministry of Mines Joint Secretary Kadam Sandeep Vasant, senior Central and state government officials, investors, industry representatives, mining experts and other stakeholders attended the roadshow.
