India’s Race to Secure Critical Minerals from the Ocean Depths
NEW DELHI — In a bold move, India is intensifying its efforts to uncover valuable minerals hidden deep within the ocean, potentially unlocking a cleaner future.
With two deep-sea exploration licenses already in hand, India has now applied for two more as major global powers like China and Russia compete fiercely to secure critical minerals essential for renewable energy, electric vehicles, and battery technology to combat climate change.
The UN-affiliated International Seabed Authority (ISA) has granted 31 exploration licenses to date, with 30 currently active. Member countries are gathering in Jamaica this week to discuss regulations surrounding the issuance of mining licenses.
If India’s new applications are approved, the country’s license count will match Russia’s and fall just one short of China’s total.
One of India’s applications aims to explore polymetallic sulfides in the Carlsberg Ridge of the Central Indian Ocean, while the other targets cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts at the Afanasy-Nikitin Seamount. The ISA’s legal and technical commission has raised queries and concerns regarding these applications.
India’s deep-sea mining ambitions are driven by its goal to secure critical minerals from the vast depths of the Indian Ocean, ensuring it remains a key player in the global race for resources.
“The Indian Ocean holds immense potential reserves, motivating the Indian government to ramp up scientific exploration of its depths,” says Nathan Picarsic, co-founder of Horizon Advisory.
With exploration licenses already held by China, Germany, and South Korea, India is determined not to be left behind in the pursuit of these valuable resources.
In 2022, trials of India’s mining machine in the Central Indian Ocean basin yielded polymetallic nodules rich in manganese, cobalt, nickel, and copper. The country’s earth sciences ministry, however, did not provide details on its deep-sea mining plans.
As countries like the US focus on sourcing minerals domestically, India is strategically positioning itself to secure critical minerals from the ocean depths, aiming to meet ambitious renewable energy targets.
Despite the pressing need for these minerals, concerns remain about the environmental impact of deep-sea mining on largely unstudied marine ecosystems.
With the demand for clean energy technologies set to skyrocket by 2050, securing critical minerals from the ocean floor is crucial for India to achieve its renewable energy goals and reduce emissions.
Geopolitical concerns surrounding China’s dominance in mineral processing have prompted the US and other countries to form partnerships to ensure a stable supply chain of critical minerals.
India’s collaboration with Russia to develop deep-sea mining technologies underscores the growing urgency to extract and utilize critical minerals amid rising geopolitical tensions.
“The confluence of rising geopolitical tensions and the energy transition is speeding up the scramble to extract, process, and utilize critical minerals,” Picarsic states. — BBC
