J&K's Limestone Gold Rush: Historic Auction Begins Today

For the first time, seven limestone blocks in Jammu & Kashmir are being auctioned today, marking a significant milestone for the Union Territory’s mining sector.

Spanning 314 hectares across Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch, the blocks fall under the G3 and G4 exploration categories and contain limestone suitable for cement, construction and industrial uses. While G4 denotes broad reconnaissance surveys, G3 involves more detailed, close-spaced prospecting to identify viable target zones. According to the Ministry of Mines, the auction signals “a shift toward transparency, competitiveness, and sustainable development in the mineral sector.”

The auction will be formally launched on 24 November in Jammu by Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy. It will be conducted under subsections (4) and (5) of Section 11 of the MMDR Act, enabling Central facilitation where the UT faces procedural constraints. The initiative is expected to boost employment, industrial growth and revenue generation, strengthening J&K’s economic development and supporting the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.