Raipur, Aug. 21 -- Chhattisgarh has cleared 45 mineral exploration projects for 2026-27, including blocks containing lithium, graphite, rare earth elements and other critical minerals, as the state looks to expand its mineral resource base and step up exploration in southern Bastar. The projects were finalised at the 26th meeting of the State Geological Programming Board (SGPB), chaired by Mineral Resources Department Secretary P Dayanand. Of the 45 projects, 35 are related to critical and strategic minerals, four involve deep-seated mineral deposits and six are bulk mineral exploration projects. The Geological Survey of India's (GSI) Raipur unit will undertake 25 of these projects. The Directorate of Geology and Mining has separately finalised 11 exploration proposals for the current financial year. The development comes after the state established resources of 2,590 million tonnes of limestone and 32.26 million tonnes of iron ore through exploration during 2025-26, officials said. "These are important achievements in the direction of mineral exploration in the state," Special Secretary and Director, Geology and Mining, Rajat Bansal said....