DoP Signs MoU with Department of Agriculture to strengthen PAN-India Sample Logistics (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Deed of undertaking is not guarantee, and resolution plan does not extinguish rights against third-party security providers unless debt is fully satisfied: SC (See 'Legal Desk') Program launched to train 1 Million young people in AI Skills (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - Continued incarceration of under-trial, without commencement or reasonable progress of trial, results in pre-trial detention being converted into punishment, which is impermissible in law: SC (See 'Legal Desk') ECI to host International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (See 'Corp Brief') SEBI - Inadvertence or technical issues do not absolve listed company from its statutory disclosure obligations: SEBI (See 'Legal Desk') A&C - Enforcement of foreign award can be refused if it is contrary to public policy, however, mere contravention of law does not equate to violation of public policy: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Indusfood Manufacturing 2026 & FoodTech 4.0 Opens at Yashobhoomi (See 'Corp Brief') CCI approves acquisition of Krosaki Harima Corporation by Nippon Steel (See 'Corp Brief') A&C - Right to object to appointment of ineligible arbitrator cannot be taken away by mere implication: SC (See 'Legal Desk') CCI okays acquisition of additional shareholding in Roppen Transportation by MIH Investments (See 'Corp Brief') Ministry of I&B's WaveX signs MoU with FITT-IIT Delhi to boost Innovation (See 'Corp Brief') A&C - Conferment of jurisdiction on specific court or creation of public forum, though eminently significant, may not be decisive test to answer and decide whether arbitrability is impliedly barred: SC (See 'Legal Desk') Working Group discusses Regional Language AI Infrastructure and Reimagining AI Education (See 'Corp Brief') Pax Comfort and Safety enhanced with better Stations: Railways (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - Gaay Chhap had shown prior and continuous use of its marks and made out strong prima facie case of trademark infringement and passing off: HC (See 'Legal Desk') IBBI Chairperson launches IICA PGIP program Website (See 'Corp Brief') Yadav reviews Action Plans of Rajasthan and Punjab to tackle Air Pollution (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - Even if trademark is accepted and advertised and, thereafter, no objection was filed against same, Sec 19 of Trade marks Act empowers Registrar to withdraw acceptance given to said Mark before its registration: HC (See 'Legal Desk') SAIL records Highest-Ever December Sales (See 'Corp Brief') Rajiv Ranjan Singh inaugurates Smart Green Aquaculture Farm (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - It is not the case of the respondent that the petitioner at any point of time was an accused in the investigation or he was evading arrest - Essential requisites of s.73 of CrPC not met - Non-bailable warrants issued stand cancelled: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Railways utilises 80 Percent of CAPEX in First Three Quarters (See 'Corp Brief') Ships built by GSL & other yards are floating symbols of India's sovereignty: RM (See 'Corp Brief') Misc - A litigant cannot be placed in a situation where a statutory right of appeal is rendered illusory on account of procedural or administrative impediments: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Govt announces relaxation for Deep-Tech Startups for DSIR recognition (See 'Corp Brief') ICAR directed to set up laboratory for turmeric testing in Erode (See 'Corp Brief') SEBI - Levy of penalty shall commensurate to disproportionate gain or unfair advantage or loss caused to investor: SEBI (See 'Legal Desk') Fixed-Term Employment fixed under New Labour Codes (See CORP EINSICHT) Competition Law - When opposite party is not dominant in relevant market, question of abuse of dominant position u/s 4 of Competition Act does not arise: CCI (See 'Legal Desk') NTPC Western Region-I signs MoA with Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - COVID-19 limitation extension was intended to cover all proceedings, including those under PMLA: SAFEMA (See 'Legal Desk') Coal Output surges as Captive and Commercial Mines Perform Strongly (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Non- stamping or insufficient stamping of one of documents relied upon by creditor does not impede initiation of insolvency resolution process, which differs from enforcement action: NCLT (See 'Legal Desk') National Textiles Ministers' Conference to be held in Guwahati (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Penalty can be levied if lapses demonstrated non-compliance with statutory and regulatory obligations incumbent on IP, undermining interests of stakeholders and integrity of insolvency process: IBBI (See 'Legal Desk')

Ministry of Mines to launch Auction of Mineral Blocks in Offshore Areas of India

Published: Nov 28, 2024

By TIOLCorplaws News Service

NEW DELHI, NOV 28, 2024: THE Ministry of Mines, Government of India, will be launching the first-ever tranche of auction of mineral blocks in the offshore areas of India on 28th November 2024. This landmark initiative marks India's entry into the exploration and development of undersea mineral resources within its offshore area. Offshore area of India includes the territorial waters, continental shelf, exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and other maritime zones of India.

India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of over 2 million sq.km. holds significant mineral resources. Offshore minerals are vital to securing India's strategic and economic interests. With the rapid global shift towards technologies reliant on high-demand minerals, such as cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements (REE), and polymetallic nodules, India must develop diverse mineral sources to reduce dependence on imports and stabilize its supply chains.

In August 2023, the Parliament amended the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, mandating auction as mode of allocation of mineral blocks in the offshore areas. This amendment allows the government to streamline the grant of production leases and composite licenses for the exploration and extraction of these resources.

This first tranche includes 13 carefully selected mineral blocks spanning across the Arabian Sea and Andaman Sea, featuring a mix of construction sand, limemud, and polymetallic nodules. These minerals are critical for infrastructure development, high-tech manufacturing, and the green energy transition.

Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy and Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Satish Chandra Dubey will officially launch this ground-breaking initiative.

Ministry of Mines, Government of India, thrives to mark a transformative chapter in India's mineral exploration journey, with the potential to unlock vast economic and strategic opportunities. By fostering private sector participation, leveraging advanced technologies, and streamlining regulatory frameworks, this initiative underscores the government's commitment to sustainable resource utilization and self-reliance. As India steps into this new frontier of undersea mineral exploration, it aims to not only bolster its industrial and green energy sectors but also secure its position as a global leader in critical minerals.

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