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India has secured an exploration contract from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to explore polymetallic sulphide deposits in the Carlsberg Ridge region of the north-western Indian Ocean. The agreement marks a major step in India’s pursuit of deep-sea resource development and its broader vision under the Deep Ocean Mission.

About the Agreement

• The exploration contract grants India the right to survey and explore an area of approximately 3,00,000 square kilometres in the Carlsberg Ridge, a tectonically active region rich in polymetallic sulphides — deposits containing valuable metals such as copper, zinc, gold, silver, and rare elements.
• The International Seabed Authority (ISA), an autonomous body under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), regulates mineral exploration and exploitation activities in international seabed areas beyond national jurisdictions.
• This licence enhances India’s presence in seabed resource exploration, complementing its earlier exploration area for polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin.

About Carlsberg Ridge

• The Carlsberg Ridge is a mid-oceanic ridge — a divergent plate boundary — located in the western Indian Ocean.
• It extends from the triple junction of the African, Indian, and Australian plates, connecting to the Mid-Indian Ridge, and runs northwest toward the Gulf of Aden.
• The ridge acts as a tectonic boundary between the Somali Plate and the Indian Plate.
• Geographical features:
  • Lies at an average depth of 6,000–12,000 feet (1,800–3,600 m) below sea level.
  • Rises about 7,000 feet (≈2,100 m) above the surrounding seafloor.
  • Extends westward near Socotra Island, eventually linking with the East African Rift System via the Gulf of Aden.
• It is one of the most prominent mid-ocean ridge systems in the Indian Ocean, characterized by frequent seismic activity and hydrothermal vents, which are potential sources of metal-rich sulphide minerals.

Significance of the Exploration

• Strategic Resource Security:Polymetallic sulphides contain economically vital metals like copper, zinc, gold, and silver, essential for clean energy technologies, electronics, and strategic industries.
• Technological Advancement:The project supports India’s Deep Ocean Mission, fostering indigenous capability in deep-sea mining, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and underwater robotics.
• Scientific and Environmental Research:Exploration in the Carlsberg Ridge will advance understanding of seafloor geology, hydrothermal systems, and biodiversity in deep-sea environments.
• Geopolitical and Economic Leverage:Strengthens India’s position in global ocean governance and the blue economy, ensuring equitable access to seabed resources.

About the International Seabed Authority (ISA)

• Headquarters: Kingston, Jamaica
• Established: 1994 under UNCLOS (1982)
• Mandate: Regulates mineral-related activities in the “Area” — the seabed and ocean floor beyond national jurisdiction — ensuring that exploration and exploitation are conducted for the benefit of mankind while protecting the marine environment.