India has secured an exploration licence from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to explore polymetallic sulphides in the northwest Indian Ocean. 

• This is the first licence granted globally for exploring polymetallic sulphur nodules in the Carlsberg Ridge.

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• India applied in January 2024 for exploration rights in two regions of the Indian Ocean:
  • Carlsberg Ridge – licence granted.
  • Afanasy-Nikitin Sea (ANS) mount – pending approval (also claimed by Sri Lanka).
• Earlier exploratory rights obtained by India:
  • 2002: Central Indian Ocean Basin (valid till March 2027, after extensions).
  • 2016: Polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean Ridge (valid till September 2031).

Types of Deep-Sea Mineral Deposits

Challenges for explorations

• Environmental Concerns: Lack of clarity on ecological impacts of deep-sea mining; possible risks to marine biodiversity.
• High Costs: Exploration and extraction at great ocean depths require advanced technology and heavy investment.
• Geopolitical Competition: Overlapping claims (e.g., in the Central Indian Ocean and Afanasy-Nikitin seamount) create diplomatic challenges.
• Uncertain Commercial Viability: Despite potential, industry interest remains limited due to cost–benefit uncertainties.

About The Carlsberg Ridge

• The Carlsberg Ridge is a 3,00,000-sq km stretch that lies in the Indian Ocean, specifically in the Arabian Sea and northwest Indian Ocean. 
• It forms the boundary between the Indian and Arabian tectonic plates, extending from near Rodrigues Island to the Owen fracture zone.
  

The International Seabed Authority (ISA)

• Establishment: Formed on 16 November 1994 under UNCLOS (1982) and the 1994 Agreement on Part XI.
• Headquarters: Kingston, Jamaica.
• Membership: 169 (168 States + EU). The USA is not a member.
• Mandate:
  • Regulates exploration and exploitation of mineral resources in the High Seas Area.
  • Ensures environmental protection from harmful seabed activities.
• High Seas Area: Covers 54% of the world’s oceans.
  • Includes waters beyond national jurisdiction (outside EEZ, territorial seas, or archipelagic waters).
  • For exploration in areas part of the ‘high seas’ or part of the ocean that is so far away from any country, that it is not part of their territories, countries must obtain permission from the ISA, Jamaica. 
  • Nineteen countries have such exploration rights.

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