The appliance for exploration rights to a ten,000 sq. km space, to be submitted to the Worldwide Seabed Authority (ISA), goals to scale back dependence on world provide chains dominated by China. It could additionally mark an enlargement of India’s deep-sea operations. The ISA is a UN physique governing mineral-related actions in worldwide waters.
India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has already been allotted two areas in Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea of 0.75 million sq. km and 10,000 sq. km respectively. The allocation is below the UN Conference on the Legislation of the Sea (UNCLOS).
India has finished an exploratory survey and located polymetallic nodules that comprises cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese in one of many allotted areas in central Indian Ocean. Within the different space, south of mid-Indian ocean ridge which is under Mauritius, India has discovered copper, cobalt, platinum and gold. The purpose is to now commercially mine these minerals and show that the method is environmentally protected, earth sciences secretary M. Ravichandran mentioned.
“Now we have submitted for the exploration for polymetallic nodules within the Indian Ocean Ridge, known as Carlsberg Ridge. It’s mid between, what is known as the Arabian coast and the Indian coast. It roughly covers an space 10,000 sq. km,” Ravichandran mentioned in an interview.
Ravichandran defined that issues regarding metals together with uncommon earths in seabed which is past India’s unique financial zone, are the mandate of his ministry.
“It’s open ocean. It’s a world widespread. It isn’t our water. So, we do some exploratory survey. Then we go to UNCLOS for getting exploration rights,” mentioned Ravichandran, including that the advantages could be shared between India and the UN.
When requested whether or not India is extracting metals from the 2 already allotted areas, Ravichandran mentioned that it requires expertise for sweeping the metals from the seabed after which pumping. ” We’re growing a mining expertise as we’ve to go to 4-5 km down the ocean. We’re in a position to sweep the steel with the expertise, however we’ve some issue in pumping from deep mattress because it needs to be steady. We’re growing all these items,” he mentioned.
The ministry can be engaged on growing the pumping expertise at Nationwide Institute of Ocean Expertise, Chennai.
Ravichandran mentioned India is extracting uncommon earths for exploration, however not on a industrial scale. India, China, France and South Korea are all making an attempt to substantiate that the method of extracting uncommon earths from the ocean is environmentally protected earlier than beginning industrial extraction, the secretary mentioned.
Amid provide chain disruptions from China, India’s automotive business, which imported over 80% of its roughly 540 tonnes of uncommon earth magnets from China within the final monetary yr, is experiencing the results. Whereas operations have not absolutely derailed, brief‑time period disruptions—particularly in EV output—are actual and intensifying.
Poonam Upadhyay, director, Crisil Rankings mentioned, “ With functions throughout EVs and ICE autos, a protracted provide squeeze may disrupt manufacturing of passenger autos and two-wheelers, making this low-cost part a possible high-impact bottleneck for the sector.”
An EY report ‘Getting India future-ready: Position of uncommon earth parts’ launched on 28 Could mentioned China has a share of 68.6% in mining of REEs (Uncommon Earth Parts), adopted by the US at 12.3%. “To comprehend India’s Viksit Bharat aspiration, Aatmanirbhar technique requires that India develop and management REE extraction and processing. Since REEs function a essential enter all through the trendy manufacturing chains, they are going to have a considerable function linked to ahead linkages,” the report mentioned.
In keeping with consultants, discovering uncommon earth minerals in India’s deep ocean beds is extra than simply geological information; it’s a strategic alternative.
“India already holds the world’s fifth largest, rare-earth reserves, about 6.9 million tonnes, however has lagged behind in refining and magnet manufacturing. This new discovery, if responsibly developed, can assist cut back dependence on imports, improve resilience in high-tech and defence provide chains, and permit India to play a task within the world essential minerals market. The important thing will likely be pairing this pure benefit with clear regulatory frameworks, expertise partnerships, and environmental safeguards to translate reserves into actual worth,” mentioned Nikhil Dhaka vice-president, Primus Companions, a consultancy.
In keeping with EY, India has launched the Nationwide Important Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 for this objective. Beneath the NCMM, Geological Survey of India (GSI) has been assigned to hold out 1,200 exploration initiatives from FY25 to FY31. To cut back India’s import dependency in REEs, the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Analysis is finishing up exploration to reinforce assets alongside the coastal, inland and riverine placer sands of the nation.
