Updated on 12 Jun 2026
These changes include those relating to exploration licenses, auctions of critical and strategic minerals, private investment in mineral exploration activities, and amendments concerning mineral concessions under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 through the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023.
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023 issued in the notification dated 09 August 2023 makes several structural changes to the MMDR Act, 1957 in India’s mineral sector. The amendment enables the granting of Exploration Licences (EL) through competitive bidding and auctioning processes in order to undertake reconnaissance and prospecting activities for minerals listed in the Seventh Schedule which has been introduced by this amendment. The Act enables both the Central and State Governments to carry out mineral concession allocations and promote scientific mineral exploration in India. The amendment has made provision for the insertion of Part D in the First Schedule of the MMDR Act, 1957 which covers Critical and Strategic Minerals such as Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, Graphite, Rare Earth Elements, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Zirconium and many more that are vital for Electric Vehicles, Renewable Energy, Battery Storage, Electronics, Defence and Advanced Manufacturing industries. Under this amendment, the Act provides for conducting auctions for mining leases as well as composite licenses in order to mine certain critical minerals and make financial benefits available to those holding exploration licenses by way of revenue sharing. The amendment is very important for the mining industry in India.