Vedanta Limited has been named the Preferred Bidder for the Punnam Manganese Block in Andhra Pradesh, following a successful e-auction conducted by the state government. The block, located in the Vizianagaram district, covers an area of approximately 152 hectares and is currently at the G4 exploration stage, indicating early-stage geological investigation.
The Department of Mines & Geology, Government of Andhra Pradesh, had initiated the auction process with a Notice Inviting Tender on July 10, 2025, offering a Composite License that includes rights for both exploration and eventual mining. Vedanta qualified through the technical evaluation phase and subsequently participated in the online bidding process. On September 18, 2025, the company was officially informed of its selection as the Preferred Bidder.
As part of the next steps, Vedanta will need to fulfil several key requirements before being awarded the Composite License. These include submitting a Performance Bank Guarantee, complying with all conditions set out in the tender documents, and obtaining the necessary approvals, clearances, and permits from various government departments and regulatory bodies.
This move aligns with Vedanta’s broader strategy to strengthen its mineral resource base and expand its presence in the mining sector, particularly in key non-ferrous minerals such as manganese. The announcement also brought Vedanta’s shares into focus, with market analysts closely watching how the development could impact the company’s resource portfolio and long-term growth plans.
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