NEW DELHI: The cabinet Wednesday approved higher royalty rates for four critical minerals - graphite, zirconium, caesium and rubidium - in a move aimed at boosting their mining and domestic production. "The decision of the cabinet will promote auction of mineral blocks containing caesium, rubidium and zirconium, thereby not only unlocking these minerals but also associated critical minerals found with them such as lithium, tungsten, REEs and niobium," an official statement said after the cabinet meeting. Amid a global rush for critical minerals, govt is seeking to strengthen energy and supply chain security by enhancing local output. In Sept, it floated a tender for auctioning critical mineral blocks, including graphite (five blocks), rubidium (two) and one each of caesium and zirconi

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