INDIA’S DEEP-SEA RACE FOR CRITICAL MINERALS

Introduction

India is intensifying its efforts to secure critical minerals from the deep seabed of the Indian Ocean amid growing global competition over strategic mineral resources essential for:

• renewable energy,
• electric vehicles,
• battery storage,
• semiconductors,
• and clean energy technologies.

India’s move comes at a time when countries such as China, Russia, and other major powers are aggressively seeking access to deep-sea mineral deposits containing:

• cobalt,
• nickel,
• copper,
• manganese,
• and rare earth-related materials.

ANALYSIS

India’s Expanding Deep-Sea Exploration Ambitions

India already possesses:

• two deep-sea exploration licences in the Indian Ocean,

and has now applied for:

• two additional exploration licences through the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

If approved, India’s total licences would become:

• equal to Russia,
• and only one fewer than China.

This highlights India’s strategic intention to avoid falling behind in the emerging race for critical mineral security.

Mineral Resources Targeted by India

Polymetallic Sulphides

India has applied to explore:

• polymetallic sulphides

located near hydrothermal vents in the:

• Carlsberg Ridge
• Central Indian Ocean.

These sulphide deposits contain:

• copper,
• zinc,
• gold,
• and silver.

The ISA’s Legal and Technical Commission has sought clarifications from India regarding the proposal.

Cobalt-rich Ferromanganese Crusts

India’s second application concerns exploration of:

• cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts

in the:

• Afanasy-Nikitin Seamount
• Central Indian Ocean.

However, the application has encountered geopolitical complications because another country has reportedly claimed part of the same seabed area under its extended continental shelf.

Why Deep-Sea Minerals are Important

Deep-sea mineral deposits contain several strategic resources essential for:

• EV batteries,
• solar panels,
• wind turbines,
• semiconductors,
• advanced electronics,
• and renewable energy systems.

Important Minerals and Uses

India’s Deep Ocean Mission and Technology Development

India is simultaneously developing advanced deep-sea technologies under its:

• Deep Ocean Mission

A major component is:

• Matsya 6000

which is India’s deep-sea exploration vehicle currently under development.

National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) Trials

In 2022, India’s National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) conducted successful mining trials at a depth of:

• 5,270 metres

in the Central Indian Ocean Basin.During the trial:

• polymetallic nodules were collected from the seabed.

These nodules are rich in:

• manganese,
• cobalt,
• nickel,
• and copper.

Strategic and Geopolitical Dimensions

Competition in the Indian Ocean

Countries already possessing exploration licences in the Indian Ocean include:

• India,
• China,
• Germany,
• and South Korea.

The Indian Ocean is increasingly viewed as a future strategic zone for:

• critical minerals,
• energy security,
• and technological dominance.

China’s Dominance and Global Concerns

China currently dominates processing and refining capacities for several critical minerals.According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), China controls:

• 100% refined natural graphite supply,
• 100% dysprosium refining,
• around 70% cobalt refining,
• and nearly 60% processed lithium and manganese.

China has also restricted exports of certain processing technologies.This has increased concerns among countries such as:

• the United States,
• India,
• and European nations

regarding excessive dependence on China.

Minerals Security Partnership (MSP)

To counter mineral supply concentration risks, the:

• United States
• and several Western countries

launched the:

• Minerals Security Partnership (MSP)

in 2022.India has joined this initiative.The partnership seeks to:

• strengthen critical mineral supply chains,
• encourage responsible mining,
• and diversify mineral sourcing.

India–Russia Cooperation

India has also signed agreements with:

• Russia

for cooperation in:

• deep-sea mining technologies.

This reflects India’s broader strategy of securing technological and geopolitical partnerships in the mineral sector.

Environmental Concerns Associated with Deep-Sea Mining

Despite strategic importance, deep-sea mining faces significant environmental opposition.Environmental groups argue that:

• the deep ocean remains largely unexplored,
• marine ecosystems are poorly understood,
• and mining could cause irreversible ecological damage.

Concerns include:

• biodiversity loss,
• sediment disturbance,
• destruction of hydrothermal vent ecosystems,
• and long-term marine ecological disruption.

Global Opposition to Deep-Sea Mining

Nearly two dozen countries including:

• United Kingdom,
• Germany,
• Brazil,
• and Canada

have demanded either:

• a temporary pause,
• or complete halt

on deep-sea mining until sufficient scientific understanding is achieved.

Growing Demand for Critical Minerals

The World Bank has projected that extraction of critical minerals may need to increase:

• nearly fivefold by 2050

to meet global clean energy demands.

India’s Renewable Energy Targets

India has set ambitious climate and energy goals:

To achieve these goals, India requires secure access to:

• lithium,
• cobalt,
• nickel,
• copper,
• graphite,
• and other critical minerals.

Land-Based Mineral Dependence

Currently, critical mineral production remains concentrated geographically:

This concentration creates:

• geopolitical vulnerabilities,
• supply-chain risks,
• and strategic dependencies.

Implications for India

India’s deep-sea mineral strategy reflects:

• energy security concerns,
• technological ambitions,
• strategic competition in the Indian Ocean,
• and the transition towards green energy.

The initiative also aligns with:

• Atmanirbhar Bharat,
• clean energy goals,
• EV manufacturing expansion,
• and strategic mineral security.

However, balancing:

• economic interests,
• environmental sustainability,
• and marine ecosystem protection

will remain a major challenge.

NECESSARY STATIC PART

International Seabed Authority (ISA)

National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)

Deep Ocean Mission

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Important Organisations / Initiatives Mentioned

Updated - 21 March 2024 ; 07:00 PM | News Source – BBC News