India Gets Licence to Explore Polymetallic Sulphides in Indian Ocean

Context:

• India has secured an exploration contract from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for polymetallic sulphides in the Carlsberg Ridge (NW Indian Ocean).

• This is the first-ever global licence for this ridge.

Key Details

• Signed by: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), India & Jamaica-based ISA.

• Location:

  • Carlsberg Ridge: ~3,00,000 sq. km stretch in Arabian Sea & NW Indian Ocean.

  • Forms the boundary between Indian & Arabian tectonic plates.

  • Extends from Rodrigues Island to Owen fracture zone.

• Resources: Rich in manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper – critical minerals for renewable energy, electronics, EV batteries, aerospace, defence.

Legal Framework

• UNCLOS (1982): Defines rights of countries over seas and seabed.

  • Continental Shelf Limit: Normally up to 350 nautical miles (NM).

  • Exception: Bay of Bengal countries can extend claims up to 500 NM.

• High Seas / International Seabed: Beyond national jurisdiction, requires permission from ISA (an autonomous UN body).

• Exploration Rights: 19 countries have them; India joins as a major player.

India’s Applications (2024)

• Carlsberg Ridge – approved.

• Afanasy-Nikitin Seamount (ANS) – pending, as Sri Lanka has competing claims.

India’s Exploration Licences (ISA)

The International Seabed Authority (ISA), created under UNCLOS (1982), regulates exploration/mining in international waters.

• 2002 – Polymetallic nodules, Central Indian Ocean Basin (till March 2027).

• 2016 – Polymetallic sulphides, Indian Ocean Ridge (till Sept 2031).

• 2024 – India applied for 2 new licences:

  1. Carlsberg Ridge – polymetallic sulphides (copper, zinc, gold, silver). (Approved in 2025 – first global licence here).

  2. Afanasy-Nikitin Seamount (ANS) – cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts. (Pending, Sri Lanka has competing claims).

• 2025 – Carlsberg Ridge licence granted; ANS still under review.

Currently, India’s count: 3 active exploration licences (matching Russia, one short of China-4).

Minerals Targeted

• Polymetallic Nodules: Potato-shaped rocks with manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper.

• Polymetallic Sulphides: Chimney-like deposits near hydrothermal vents; copper, zinc, gold, silver.

• Ferromanganese Crusts: Rich in cobalt, manganese; found on seamounts.

Strategic Importance for India

• Energy Transition Goals:

  • 500 GW renewables by 2030.

  • 50% energy from renewables by 2030.

  • Net Zero by 2070.

• Critical Minerals Demand: World Bank projects 5x increase in extraction by 2050 for clean energy.

• Supply Chain Security: Counters China’s dominance:

  • Controls 100% of refined graphite, 70% cobalt, ~60% lithium & manganese processing.

  • Has restricted export of processing tech.

• Geopolitical Leverage: India joined Minerals Security Partnership (2022) with US, EU, Japan, etc.

Technological Developments

• Samudrayaan Programme (Matsya 6000): To carry humans 6000m deep.

• NIOT (Chennai): Conducted trial mining in 2022 at 5270m depth, collecting polymetallic nodules.

• India–Russia Agreement: Joint development of deep-sea mining tech.

Global Context

• ISA Licences: 31 issued globally, 30 active .

• China: Leading with most licences + advanced processing capacity.

• US: Not part of UNCLOS → no ISA licences; focuses on domestic seabed + allies.

Challenges

• Environmental Concerns: Deep-sea mining may disturb fragile ecosystems.

• Geopolitical Disputes: Overlapping claims (e.g., with Sri Lanka in ANS).

• Technological Hurdles: Extraction at depths >3000m requires advanced R&D.