India becomes first country to hold 2 PMS exploration contracts with ISA

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh announced the signing of a new 15-year contract between the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for exclusive rights to explore Polymetallic Sulphides (PMS) in the allotted 10,000 sq km area of the Carlsberg Ridge in the Indian Ocean, a release from Ministry of Earth Sciences stated.

With this, India has become the first country in the world to hold two contracts with ISA for PMS exploration, reaffirming its pioneering role in deep-sea resource exploration and its strategic presence in the Indian Ocean.

As per the release, Dr Singh said that the new contract is a significant step towards realising the vision of the Deep Ocean Mission launched by PM Narendra Modi, which focuses on seabed mineral exploration, mining technology development, and strengthening India's 'Blue Economy Initiatives'.

He added, "By formalising exclusive rights for PMS exploration in the Carlsberg Ridge, India has further consolidated its leadership in deep-sea research and exploration. This will enhance our maritime presence and build national capacity for future resource utilisation."

Polymetallic Sulphides contain valuable metals such as iron, copper, zinc, silver, gold, and platinum, and are precipitates formed by hot hydrothermal fluids from oceanic crust. Their strategic and commercial potential has attracted global attention, placing India at the forefront of deep-sea resource exploration.

Highlighting India's longstanding partnership with ISA, Dr Jitendra Singh recalled that India was the first country to receive an area for polymetallic nodule exploration in international waters and was designated as a "Pioneer Investor." With two PMS contracts now in place - one in the Central Indian Ridge & Southwest Indian Ridge and another in the Carlsberg Ridge - India also holds the largest exploration area allocated for PMS in the international seabed.

"India's 30-year association with the ISA has been a source of pride, and as ISA celebrates its 30th anniversary, India reaffirms its commitment to working closely with ISA to deliver on its mandate for the common heritage of humankind," Dr Singh said. He also announced that India will be hosting the 8th ISA Annual Contractors Meeting from September 18-20 in Goa, marking another milestone in India's leadership role in seabed exploration.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr M. Ravichandran, noted that it was a proud moment for MoES and its autonomous institute, the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, to sign the second PMS exploration contract. "This marks India as the first member state and government contractor of ISA to hold two PMS exploration contracts. It is also a matter of pride that India now has the largest area allocated globally in the International Seabed for PMS exploration," he said.

Dr Ravichandran added that India looks forward to strengthening its cooperation with ISA to generate more scientific knowledge of unexplored seabed ecosystems and to ensure effective protection of the marine environment while harnessing mineral resources for the benefit of humankind, the release said.