What happened (NIOT/MoES seabed-mining exploration under ISA rules)
The Government of India, through the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has placed the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, at the centre of technology development for deep-sea minerals. NIOT’s mandate includes developing technologies for reliable and sustainable harvesting of polymetallic nodules from the deep ocean and building key components needed for ISA-compliant exploration.
Key developments reported in a Lok Sabha written reply include:
NIOT technology development and system trials
NIOT has developed a seabed mining system and conducted mobility and system-powering trials at a water depth of 5,270 m at a Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) site. The site was allocated for exploration under the International Seabed Authority (ISA) framework.
NIOT has also undertaken development of nodule collection and crushing components in line with ISA guidelines for exploration activities.
Related current affairs
- MoES Foundation Day: NIOT launches ocean/nearshore infrastructure and demonstrates open-sea mariculture; deep-sea mining outreach
- PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Impact and achievements of the Deep Ocean Mission
- MoES releases National Report on Deep-Sea and Distant-Water Fishery Resources of the Indian EEZ to support sustainable Blue Economy
- IITM MAQWFS Glacier Expedition: integrated atmospheric and cryospheric observations over Gangotri–Gaumukh and Satopanth