The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), is entrusted with developing technologies for the reliable and sustainable harvesting of polymetallic nodules from the deep ocean. A seabed mining system has been developed, for which mobility and system-powering trials were successfully undertaken at a depth of 5270 m at the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) site allocated by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). In addition, NIOT has undertaken the development of nodule collection and crushing components in accordance with ISA guidelines.

Ministry of Earth Sciences has signed contracts with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for exploration of seabed minerals, namely Polymetallic Nodules (PMN) and Polymetallic Sulphides (PMS) in the Indian Ocean in the areas beyond National jurisdiction. The Resource Assessment and the Environmental Impact Assessment studies are carried out as per the contractual obligations and guidelines set out by the ISA. Multidisciplinary Oceanographic Studies are conducted in the Indian contract areas under the exploration contract to establish baseline environmental conditions and assess the possible effects of exploration activities on deep sea ecosystems. Presently, only the activities related to exploration of deep seabed minerals in the international seabed are permitted.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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