MMDR Amendment Act, 2023
Critical Mineral Framework
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023, passed by Parliament in August 2023, fundamentally restructured how India governs critical mineral exploration and extraction. The amendment introduced Part-D to the First Schedule of the parent MMDR Act, 1957, designating 24 critical and strategic minerals for exclusive central government auction. Six minerals previously classified as atomic minerals — lithium, beryllium, niobium, titanium, tantalum, and zirconium — were declassified to allow private sector participation. The amendment also introduced Exploration Licences (EL) to attract foreign investment and junior mining companies for deep-seated mineral exploration.
- Parent law: Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
- Amendment year: August 2023 (passed by Parliament)
- Minerals in Part-D (critical): 24, including lithium, cobalt, graphite, REE, nickel, phosphate, potash, tin
- India's broader critical minerals list: 30 minerals (released June 2023 by Ministry of Mines)
- Auction mechanism: Two-stage ascending forward auction (highest % of mineral value wins)
- Insurance Surety Bonds introduced as alternative to bank guarantees (2025-26 reform)
● Tracked since March 22, 2026 · last seen August 14, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes