Srinagar, October 3, 2026: Jammu and Kashmir has taken a significant step towards organised mineral development with the successful auction of two limestone blocks in Anantnag district under the Central Government’s mineral auction process.
The auction, conducted through the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, marks the first successful auction of mineral blocks in the Union Territory under the central mineral auction framework. The development is expected to open new avenues for investment, industrial activity and employment linked to the region’s mineral resources.
The two blocks — Koot–Kapran Limestone Block and Wantrag Limestone Block — are located in Anantnag district and contain substantial estimated limestone resources.
Koot–Kapran Block Has 4.75 Million Tonnes of Resources
The Koot–Kapran Limestone Block is situated in Koot and Kapran villages of Dooru Tehsil. It covers an area of 22.43 hectares and has estimated limestone resources of approximately 4.75 million tonnes.
The block has been explored up to the G-4 stage, providing a geological base for further exploration and development.
Wantrag Block Contains Over 10.8 Million Tonnes
The second block, the Wantrag Limestone Block, covers 5.36 hectares and has estimated limestone resources of around 10.853 million tonnes.
The block has been explored up to the G-3 stage, with 159 metres of drilling carried out as part of the geological assessment. This provides a technical foundation for further exploration and development of the mineral resource.
Potential for Investment and Employment
The successful auction is expected to strengthen the framework for systematic development of Jammu and Kashmir’s mineral resources. According to the Ministry of Mines, the development of these blocks could encourage investment and generate economic activity through mining and associated sectors.
The mineral sector can also create opportunities for local businesses, service providers, entrepreneurs and allied industries as associated activities expand. The government has indicated that greater utilisation of local mineral resources could contribute to value creation and wider participation in the emerging mining ecosystem.
The development follows the launch of Jammu and Kashmir’s first tranche of limestone block auctions in November 2025. A second tranche involving 12 limestone blocks across Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch was subsequently launched in May 2026, reflecting the administration’s continued focus on bringing mineral resources into a structured auction-based framework.
The Ministry of Mines has stated that it will continue coordinating with the Jammu and Kashmir Government to facilitate transparent, sustainable and responsible development of the Union Territory’s mineral resources.
The successful auction of the two Anantnag blocks therefore represents an important milestone in Jammu and Kashmir’s mineral sector, while creating a framework for further exploration, investment and industrial development in the region.
