New Delhi, May 26 -- Union Mines Secretary Piyush Goyal chaired the ninth monthly review meeting with senior ministry officials and Category-A mineral-bearing states to assess progress in mineral block auctions and operationalisation across the country.

The meeting focused on accelerating mining sector reforms, increasing domestic mineral production and ensuring timely operationalisation of auctioned mineral blocks.

According to the ministry, 108 mineral blocks were auctioned between FY2015-16 and FY2020-21 following the introduction of the auction regime in 2015.

The pace increased significantly thereafter, with 364 mineral blocks auctioned between FY2021-22 and FY2024-25, averaging around 90 blocks annually.

In FY2025-26, a record 2...