NEW DELHI, Sept 20: India has signed a 15-year contract with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for exclusive rights to explore polymetallic sulphides (PMS) across 10,000 sq km of the Carlsberg Ridge in the Indian Ocean, Union Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh announced on Saturday.
“The ISA has granted India exclusive rights for deep-sea exploration of polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean,” Singh said, calling the deal a significant step in India’s Blue Economy ambitions.
Polymetallic sulphides contain commercially valuable metals like iron, copper, zinc, silver, gold, and platinum. They are typically formed when hot hydrothermal fluids from oceanic crusts meet cold seawater, leading to rapid precipitation.
ThIndia, International Seabed Authority, Deep Sea Exploration, Indian Ocean, Polymetallic Sulphides, Blue Economy, Critical Mineralse exploration programme will help India tap critical mineral resources for future cleaindia-international-seabed-authority-deep-sea-miningn energy technologies and industrial applications.
The International Seabed Authority, an autonomous UN organisation, regulates all mineral-related activities in international waters beyond national jurisdictions.