The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has developed technologies for harvesting polymetallic nodules from the deep ocean. A seabed mining system has been created with successful mobility and system-powering trials conducted at a depth of 5270 meters at the Central Indian Ocean Basin site allocated by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). NIOT is additionally developing nodule collection and crushing components in accordance with ISA guidelines.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences has signed contracts with ISA for exploration of seabed minerals, specifically Polymetallic Nodules (PMN) and Polymetallic Sulphides (PMS), in the Indian Ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction. Resource Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment studies are being conducted as per contractual obligations and ISA guidelines. Multidisciplinary Oceanographic Studies are performed in Indian contract areas to establish baseline environmental conditions and assess potential effects of exploration activities on deep sea ecosystems. Currently, only exploration activities related to deep seabed minerals in the international seabed are permitted under existing regulations.
This information was provided by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, in a written reply to Lok Sabha on August 12, 2026.