Why in news
- The Ministry of Mines held a stakeholder outreach program for auctioning two offshore polymetallic mineral blocks in the Andaman Sea under a Composite Licence framework.
Key terms
Polymetallic Nodules
Seabed mineral deposits composed primarily of manganese, iron, nickel, copper, and cobalt.
Composite Licence
A unified permit granting rights for preliminary exploration followed by commercial mining upon discovery.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
Sea zone stretching up to 200 nautical miles from baseline where a coastal nation holds sovereign resource rights.
Offshore Areas Mineral Act, 2002
Central statute regulating mining rights and exploration in India's territorial waters and continental shelf.
What is the Offshore Mineral Regulatory Framework?
- Governed by the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, amended in 2023 to introduce competitive auctioning and Composite Licences.
- Grants exclusive rights for combined exploration and production in maritime zones within India's Exclusive Economic Zone.
Details of the Offshore Mineral Auction
- Offers two deep-sea blocks—Sewell Rise-01 (632 sq km) and West Sewell Ridge-01 (1,000 sq km)—totaling 1,632 sq km in the Andaman Sea.
- Targets seabed deposits of polymetallic nodules and crusts containing critical elements like copper, nickel, cobalt, and manganese.
- Integrates offshore extraction with downstream processing at a proposed Critical Mineral Processing Park on India's eastern coast.
Why it matters
- Enhances India's critical mineral security for green energy transition and high-tech manufacturing without reliance on foreign imports.
Prelims facts
- Polymetallic nodule blocks in the Andaman Sea are awarded via Composite Licences under OAMDR Act amendments.
Mains discussion
- Strategic and economic significance of deep-sea mining for critical mineral self-reliance.
Source: PIB English
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2026 · Q33 · General Studies · 2 marks
With reference to the climate of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The climate can be defined as a humid, tropical coastal climate. 2. It receives rainfall from both South-west monsoon and North-east monsoon. 3. Maximum precipitation is between December and May. Select the answer using the code given below: -
2025 · Q6 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: I. India has joined the Minerals Security Partnership as a member. II. India is a resource-rich country in all the 30 critical minerals that it has identified. III. The Parliament in 2023 has amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 empowering the Central Government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite license for certain critical minerals. Which of the statements given above are correct? -
2018 · Q27 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements: 1. In India, State Governments do not have the power to auction non-coal mines. 2. Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand do not have gold mines. 3. Rajasthan has iron ore mines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? -
2026 · Q95 · General Studies · 2 marks
Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct? 1. Modern technological innovations including Artificial Intelligence, robotics and space exploration extensively utilise Rare Earth Elements (REEs). 2. China has the highest share in mining of REEs followed by India. 3. The Government of India launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector. 4. Rare Earth Elements are a set of 13 metallic elements. Select the answer using the code given below: -
2025 · Q17 · GS III · 15 marks
Mineral resources are fundamental to the country's economy and these are exploited by mining. Why is mining considered an environmental hazard? Explain the remedial measures required to reduce the environmental hazard due to mining.