Mineral Exploration in the Indian Ocean by Ministry of Earth Sciences
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has two seabed mineral exploration contracts with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in the Indian Ocean. The first contract for Polymetallic nodules (PMN) was signed in 2002, covering 75,000 sq. km, while the second for Polymetallic Sulphides (PMS) was signed in 2016, covering 10,000 sq. km. The estimated resources include 366 million metric tons of PMN, containing copper, nickel, and cobalt. Currently, deep-sea mining is not permitted as regulations for exploitation have not been finalized by ISA.
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