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This is a major step in India’s quest for strategic mineral resources
Union Minister for Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh, announced on Saturday that India has signed a new 15-year contract with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for a 10,000 sq km area on the Carlsberg Ridge. File pic/PTI
In a significant stride for its deep-sea exploration ambitions, India has secured exclusive rights to explore for polymetallic sulphides (PMS) in the Indian Ocean. Union Minister for Earth Sciences, Jitendra Singh, announced on Saturday that India has signed a new 15-year contract with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for a 10,000 sq km area on the Carlsberg Ridge.
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This is a major step in India’s quest for strategic mineral resources. Polymetallic sulphides are rich deposits of copper, zinc, silver, and gold, which are critical for various modern technologies, including renewable energy infrastructure, electric vehicles, and electronics. The Carlsberg Ridge, a key geological feature in the Indian Ocean, is a seismically active area known for hydrothermal vents where these valuable minerals accumulate.
The new contract complements India’s existing deep-sea exploration projects. For over two decades, India has held exclusive rights to explore polymetallic nodules, another form of deep-sea mineral, in the Central Indian Ocean Basin. With this new PMS contract, India is the only country with exploration rights for both nodules and sulphides in the Indian Ocean, positioning it as a major player in the emerging field of deep-sea mining. The new contract also solidifies India’s role within the ISA, the autonomous international organisation established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences, through its research vessel, Samudra Ratnakar, will lead the exploration efforts. The ministry has already carried out preliminary research that led to the selection of this promising site. Securing these rights is a proactive measure to ensure India’s future energy and resource security, reducing its dependence on terrestrial mining and international markets for these critical raw materials. The 15-year tenure provides India with a clear and long-term framework to conduct extensive geological, biological, and environmental studies, which are crucial for any future commercial exploitation.
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
September 21, 2025, 05:54 IST
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