Jammu and Kashmir auctions its first two mineral blocks, both limestone, through the Ministry of Mines

State Focus Jammu and Kashmir Economy Economy & Banking

Jammu and Kashmir auctions its first two mineral blocks, both limestone, through the Ministry of Mines

2 October 2026

In a first for the Union Territory, two mineral blocks in Jammu and Kashmir have been successfully auctioned through the Ministry of Mines.
The J&K government had entrusted the auction to the Ministry under the Central Government's mineral auction process.
The Koot–Kapran Limestone Block, in Koot and Kapran villages of Dooru Tehsil in Anantnag district, covers 22.43 hectares with estimated resources of 4.75 million tonnes, explored to the G-4 stage.
The Wantrag Limestone Block covers 5.36 hectares with estimated resources of 10.853 million tonnes, explored to the G-3 stage with 159 metres of drilling.
The Ministry said the auction marks the start of organised mineral development in the UT.

Koot–Kapran block: 22.43 ha, 4.75 million tonnes, G-4 Wantrag block: 5.36 ha, 10.853 million tonnes, G-3 District (Koot–Kapran): Anantnag

Why it matters for exams: Mineral auctions under the MMDR framework and exploration stages (G-1 to G-4) are standard economy and geography questions.

Kerala PSCUPSC

2 October 2026 Source: Press Information Bureau

In plain words

G-4 / G-3 stage — Stages of mineral exploration under the UN Framework Classification; G-4 is reconnaissance and G-3 is preliminary exploration.

Limestone — A sedimentary rock that is the main raw material for cement.