New Delhi, Nov. 6 -- The Ministry of Mines has launched the ninth tranche of the auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks, putting 20 blocks across eight states on offer, as the government steps up efforts to strengthen domestic mineral availability and encourage private sector participation.

The latest auction follows eight previous tranches in which 100 unique critical and strategic mineral blocks were offered, of which 64 were successfully auctioned, recording a success rate of 64 per cent.

The Ministry of Mines, in an official statement, said, "In the previous eight tranches, 100 unique critical and strategic mineral blocks were offered, of which 64 have been successfully auctioned, a success rate of 64 per cent."

The 20 bl...