It is a major step forward in exploring India's extensive offshore mineral resources within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Key Details of the Offshore Mining Auction
- Mineral Blocks: Auction includes 13 mineral blocks spanning across the Arabian Sea and Andaman Sea.
- Types of Mineral and corresponding Region: Construction sand (Off the coast of Kerala, Arabian Sea), lime-mud (Off the coast of Gujarat, Arabian Sea) and polymetallic nodules and crusts (Off the coast of Great Nicobar Islands, Andaman Sea).
Offshore Mining or Deep Sea Mining
- It is the process of retrieving mineral deposits from the deep seabed, at a depth of more than 200 meters.
- Geological Survey of India (GSI) has identified about six lakh sq. kms of offshore area having potential for offshore mining.
Significance of Offshore Mining for India
- India's offshore mineral reserves include gold, diamond, copper, nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, and rare earth elements essential for development.
- Offshore mining will increase availability of minerals (Atmanirbharta in critical minerals), unlock India’s blue economy and reduce dependence on imports.
- These minerals are critical for infrastructure development, high-tech manufacturing and green energy transition.
Challenges in Offshore Mining
- Lack of private participation, requirement of highly skilled labor and capital, environmental challenges like habitat destruction, disruption of marine ecosystems etc.
Step Taken for Offshore Mining
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