- Balaghat and Jhabua blocks open for bids
- Auctions aim to strengthen domestic ore availability
The Madhya Pradesh Directorate of Geology and Mining has invited bids for two manganese-bearing mineral blocks under its Phase XX major mineral auction programme, aimed at promoting fresh mineral exploration and enhancing domestic resource development. The manganese assets are part of a wider offering of 12 mineral blocks covering limestone, zinc, bauxite, iron ore-laterite and base metals.
The Bahiyatikur Manganese Deposit Block in Balaghat district has been offered under a Mining Lease (ML) in the second auction attempt. The block hosts an estimated 0.020122 mnt of manganese resources with an average grade of Mn: 35.70%, making it the higher-grade manganese asset among the two blocks on offer.
The Dhamani Nana Manganese Block in Jhabua district has been offered under a Composite Licence (CL), also in the second auction attempt. The block contains an estimated 0.044887 mnt of manganese resources with an average grade ranging between Mn 21.52% and 22.81%, providing an opportunity for further exploration and resource development.
Tender documents will be available for purchase through the MSTC e-auction portal from 6 Aug’26 until 3 Sep’26, while the last date for submission of bids is 8 Sep’26. The auctions are expected to attract mining companies seeking to secure domestic manganese resources and strengthen the raw material base for India’s ferro alloys sector.
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