Coal India emerges preferred bidder for Ontillu-Chandragiri rare earth block

Coal India Limited ( CIL) has been named the preferred bidder for the Ontillu-Chandragiri Rare Earth Element (REE) Exploration Block, according to a regulatory filing by the company.

The award comes from the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, under the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) issued on March 30, 2025.

The Ontillu-Chandragiri block spans 209.62 square kilometres and will be explored under an official license granted as per the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, as amended. CIL is required to execute the exploration license deed within one year from the issuance of the Letter of Intent by the State Government.

CIL clarified that the order was granted by a domestic entity and is not considered a related-party transaction. The company also noted that neither its promoter nor promoter group holds any stake in the awarding entity.

The move marks a strategic step for CIL as it seeks to expand its footprint into rare earth exploration, aligning with India’s push to secure critical minerals for industrial and technological applications.