MMDR Amendment Act 2023 gets President's nod

President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act, 2023. With this, the Central government is empowered to auction mines and ramp up production of 26 critical minerals in India.

Lithium, cobalt, and graphite output may get a fillip as the centre hopes to speedily conduct bids for these minerals.

“Even in case of conduct of auction by the central government, the mineral concession shall be granted to the selected bidders by the state government only and the auction premium and other statutory payments shall accrue to the state government,” union mines minister Prahlad Joshi had said while introducing the bill in Lok Sabha.


Buyers of electric vehicles, batteries, and crucial equipment stand to gain from the move with supply of these minerals being available domestically.

This is the fifth amendment to the MMDR Act, 1957 since 2014. Earlier changes included mandating e-auction for mineral resources, and allowing extension of mining leases that were expiring.

Critical minerals also gain significance in view of India's commitment towards energy transition and achieving net-zero emission by 2070.