India has signed one new contract with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) on 15^th September, 2025 for exploration of polymetallic sulphides (PMS) in the Carlsberg Ridge area of the Indian Ocean. Besides, India has two ongoing exploration contracts with the ISA, one for polymetallic nodules (PMN) at the Central Indian Ocean Basin and another for polymetallic sulphides at Central and South West Indian Ridge in Indian Ocean, which were signed in 2002 and 2016, respectively.

Polymetallic nodules present in the seafloor contain metals like nickel, copper, cobalt and manganese. Polymetallic sulphides contain precious metals like copper, zinc, lead, iron, silver, gold and platinum etc. These metals are important for renewable energy technologies, including electric vehicles, power grids, and solar systems.

Seabed resource estimation and environmental studies at mineral exploration sites is an integral component of the contract with the International Seabed Authority. For this, geological, geophysical, oceanographic and biological data are collected from the allocated contract area of the Indian Ocean. Comprehensive environmental baseline studies, including biodiversity assessments are undertaken to better understand deep-sea ecosystems.

Ministry of Earth Sciences liaise with the ISA for maintaining three seabed mineral exploration contracts in the Indian Ocean and provide continued cooperation in the activities of the ISA including finalisation of the deep-sea mining regulation. In parallel, technologies for mining of seabed minerals are developed to be ready to participate in deep-sea mining and critical mineral supply chains.

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 NKR/AK

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