India has extended an auction of deep-sea blocks containing critical minerals used in electric vehicle batteries and other products until May 1, a spokesperson at India's Ministry of Mines said on Wednesday.China is
India has extended an auction of deep-sea blocks containing critical minerals used in electric vehicle batteries and other products until May 1, a spokesperson at India's Ministry of Mines said on Wednesday.
China is a top global producer of 30 of the 50 minerals considered critical by the U.S. Geological Survey, but has been curtailing exports recently amid trade tensions with the United States.
India in November launched the first tranche of an auction of 13 offshore deep-sea mineral blocks, including three lime mud blocks, three construction sand blocks, and seven polymetallic nodule blocks.
The blocks contain critical minerals including cobalt, copper, manganese, and nickel.
An initial bid deadline of February 27 was bumped to April 2 and has been extended again, the ministry spokesperson confirmed.
"We have received queries from companies that want to study the blocks and have asked for time," a source told Reuters, declining to be identified as they were not authorised to speak to the media.
Another source said the move was aimed at encouraging wider participation from potential bidders.
Opposition parties have called for the auction to be cancelled citing risks to the environment and local media have reported protests led by
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