Deep-Sea Mining in India: Balancing Critical Minerals with Ecological Security

India’s growing engagement with the deep ocean under the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) and exploration contracts with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) reflects the strategic importance of seabed resources.

• However, deep-sea mining also raises concerns over poorly understood ecosystems, biodiversity loss and the adequacy of global environmental governance. The challenge is to balance critical-mineral security with the precautionary principle and ocean conservation.

Understanding Deep-Sea Mining

Deep-sea mining involves extracting polymetallic nodules, polymetallic sulphides and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts, generally from depths of 3,000-6,000 metres. These deposits contain critical minerals such as nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese, essential for batteries, renewable energy and ....