Context:
Carlsberg Ridge, a tectonic boundary between the Indian and African plates, is poised to become India’s third deep-sea mining zone pending ISA approval. India has also applied for a fourth zone, adding to its current two active mineral exploration licences:
- Central Indian Ocean Basin (2002–2027) – focus on polymetallic nodules
- Rodriguez Triple Junction (2016–2031) – focus on polymetallic sulphides
Critical Metals for Green Tech
- Hydrothermal vents, found 3,000–6,000m below sea level, emit superheated, mineral-rich plumes containing cobalt, manganese, copper, zinc, gold, silver, and rare earths.
- These metals are vital for energy transition (e.g., EV batteries, solar panels, wind turbines) and defence systems.
- India currently imports many of these from China, the UK, and Norway.
India’s Deep-Sea Missions
- Early 2000s: Oceanographers ventured into pirate-infested zones without ROVs/AUVs.
- 2024 & beyond:
- Applications for Carlsberg Ridge and Afanasy-Nikitin Seamount (ANS), a volcanic region with high cobalt and nickel potential.
- ANS is unusual for its high cobalt levels in low-oxygen waters.
Samudrayaan & Matsya 6000
- Under the ₹4,077 crore Deep Ocean Mission, India is developing:
- Matsya 6000: A manned submersible for 6,000m dives, undergoing integration and test dives in 2025.
- Seabed mining system, already tested at 1,200m in the Andaman Sea.
- India joins a select group with manned submersible tech: US, Russia, France, Japan, China.
Technological Milestones & Ecology Balance
- NCPOR filmed the first active vent at 3,000m using an AUV in early 2024.
- India is building a ₹900 crore indigenous research vessel to explore and map seabed biodiversity.
- Researchers discovered nine new marine species, informing ISA’s evolving sustainability guidelines.
Budget Gaps & Global Race
- 2025–26 Budget: Ministry of Earth Sciences allocated ₹3,649.8 crore vs ₹13,416.2 crore for ISRO.
- Despite lower funding, India’s oceanographers aim to match China’s dominant seabed presence within a decade.
Why It Matters
- Deep-sea mining is crucial for India’s Blue Economy goals, technological sovereignty, and clean energy security.
- As the Indo-Pacific’s strategic importance grows, so does the need to secure critical underwater resources amid regional rivalries.
TOI
