New Delhi, July 5 -- The Centre has cancelled the auction of nine critical and strategic mineral blocks offered under the seventh tranche of auctions after failing to attract adequate investor interest, dealing a setback to its efforts to boost domestic production of minerals vital for the clean energy transition and advanced manufacturing.
The Ministry of Mines said two mineral blocks were withdrawn after receiving no bids, while the auction of seven others was annulled as fewer than three bidders qualified at the technical evaluation stage.
"Since there were nil bids, the auction process for two mineral blocks stands annulled," the ministry said in a notification.
The two cancelled blocks are the Majhauli Titanium, Vanadium and Alumino...