The Government does not proposes to undertake deep sea mining for minerals in South and Central Indian Ocean on the pattern of Chinese exploration, which has been allowed by International Seabed Authority
The International Seabed Authority has entered into a 15-year contract with India in the year 2002 for pursuing exploration activity for deep sea mineral resources in the Indian Ocean on lines similar to its contracts with other countries including China. In pursuance of this agreement, the Ministry of Earth Sciences has undertaken exploration activity for which a total area of 75000 sq. km. in the Central Indian Ocean Basin is available to it. India hopes to be amongst the few countries of the world which would be able to explore for deep sea mineral resources in the years ahead.
Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Shri S.Jaipal Reddy gave this information in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha today.
Tags: International Seabed Authority
Deep Sea
Mining
Minerals
