Raj begins e-auction for 22 major mineral blocks

Jaipur: The department of mines and geology initiated the e-auction process for 22 major mineral blocks in Rajasthan. As part of this initiative, 14 mining leases and 8 composite licence blocks were put up for bidding. An official said tender notices were issued on April 16, and bids are being invited until May 21. "After the scrutiny of documents, bidding will take place in the first week of June through the Govt of India's MSTC e-platform," the official said.

Among the 14 limestone mining lease blocks, 11 are located in Jaisalmer, 2 in Nagaur, and 1 in Kota. The 8 composite licence blocks include Shahpura and Kurtiyan in Beawar, Chauth ka Barwara in Sawai Madhopur, and Western Samodi in Bhilwara for base metals. Additionally, Mandai 4 and Mandai 5 in Jaisalmer are for siliceous earth; the Chatwara block in Jalore is for fluorite, and the Garariya block in Banswara is for manganese.

"In the previous financial year, a record 34 major mineral blocks were auctioned. Since the implementation of mandatory auction provisions for mineral blocks in 2015, Rajasthan auctioned 88 major mineral blocks to date. With the launch of this year's e-auction process, the state aims to surpass last year's record," the official added.

Only bidders who meet the net worth and eligibility criteria specified in the auction rules during first stage on the MSTC portal will be permitted to participate in the second stage of bidding. The department set a revenue target of over Rs 12,950 crore for the current financial year (FY26). To meet this goal, the state plans to generate approximately Rs 1,000 crore in revenue each month. In FY25, the department was the leading revenue contributor to the state, collecting over Rs 9,228 crore—a growth rate of 23.65 percent.

Jaipur: The department of mines and geology initiated the e-auction process for 22 major mineral blocks in Rajasthan. As part of this initiative, 14 mining leases and 8 composite licence blocks were put up for bidding. An official said tender notices were issued on April 16, and bids are being invited until May 21. "After the scrutiny of documents, bidding will take place in the first week of June through the Govt of India's MSTC e-platform," the official said.

Among the 14 limestone mining lease blocks, 11 are located in Jaisalmer, 2 in Nagaur, and 1 in Kota. The 8 composite licence blocks include Shahpura and Kurtiyan in Beawar, Chauth ka Barwara in Sawai Madhopur, and Western Samodi in Bhilwara for base metals. Additionally, Mandai 4 and Mandai 5 in Jaisalmer are for siliceous earth; the Chatwara block in Jalore is for fluorite, and the Garariya block in Banswara is for manganese.

"In the previous financial year, a record 34 major mineral blocks were auctioned. Since the implementation of mandatory auction provisions for mineral blocks in 2015, Rajasthan auctioned 88 major mineral blocks to date. With the launch of this year's e-auction process, the state aims to surpass last year's record," the official added.

Only bidders who meet the net worth and eligibility criteria specified in the auction rules during first stage on the MSTC portal will be permitted to participate in the second stage of bidding. The department set a revenue target of over Rs 12,950 crore for the current financial year (FY26). To meet this goal, the state plans to generate approximately Rs 1,000 crore in revenue each month. In FY25, the department was the leading revenue contributor to the state, collecting over Rs 9,228 crore—a growth rate of 23.65 percent.