As many as 72 mineral blocks in 12 mineral-rich states are likely to undergo mining activities by end of this financial year. The states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana and Tamil Nadu would put the blocks to auctions. The mineral blocks offer mining of iron ore, bauxite, manganese, limestone, copper, graphite, dolomite, gold and emerald.

The Notice Inviting Tenders (NITs) for the mineral blocks are expected to be issued before the end of January. A total of 33 limestone blocks, 12 iron ore, 11 bauxite, five copper, three each of graphite and manganese, two each of gold and emerald and one dolomite blocks are to be auctioned during January-March period.

According to data from the ministry, 88 major mineral blocks have been notified by nine states for auctions and 33 blocks have been successfully auctioned (as on January 1, 2018).