J&K’s First Limestone Block Auction | 25 Nov 2025

Why in News?

Jammu & Kashmir hosted its first-ever limestone block auction on 24th November, 2025, marking a major milestone in the Union Territory’s mineral sector reforms under the MMDR Act, 2015.

Key Points

• This is the first mining block auction in Jammu & Kashmir since the introduction of mining reforms under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2015.
  •  The auction is being conducted under Section 11 of the Act, as amended by the MMDR Amendment Act, 2015, which introduced the auction regime. 
• Seven limestone blocks, spread across Anantnag, Rajouri, and Poonch districts, have been identified for auction. The deposits hold high-quality limestone suitable for cement, construction, and allied industries.
• These blocks cover around 314 hectares and fall under UNFC G3 and G4 exploration categories. UNFC – United Nations Framework Classification categorises mineral resources by geological confidence:
  • G1 – Detailed Exploration: Highest confidence; drilling and testing clearly establish the size, grade, and exact characteristics of the mineral deposit.
  • G2 – General Exploration: Moderate confidence; geological studies and limited drilling indicate the deposit’s continuity and economic potential.
  • G3 – Prospecting: Early-stage confidence; preliminary surveys suggest the presence of minerals but without firm data on quantity or quality.
  • G4 – Reconnaissance: Lowest confidence; broad regional studies only indicate possible mineralisation, requiring further detailed exploration.\