International Seabed Authority (ISA) : India Received landmark licence
India has received a landmark licence from the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to explore polymetallic sulphide deposits in the Carlsberg Ridge.
- It is a 300,000 sq km area of the northwest Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea.
- This is the world’s first licence of its kind, granting India exclusive rights to survey and potentially exploit minerals like manganese, cobalt, nickel, and copper critical for batteries, electronics, and renewable energy.
- India already holds ISA licences in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (till 2027) and the Indian Ocean Ridge (till 2031).
- The Carlsberg Ridge licence strengthens India’s role in securing critical mineral supply chains and counters competition from countries such as China.
- However, deep-sea mining raises environmental concerns. India has committed to ecological assessments while pursuing its deep-ocean mineral strategy.
- The initiative is backed by the global framework of UNCLOS and regulated by the International Seabed Authority, which oversees seabed resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
International Seabed Authority (ISA)
- Establishment: Created in 1994 under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), following the 1994 Agreement on Part XI of UNCLOS.
- Headquarters: Kingston, Jamaica.
- Mandate: Regulates exploration and potential exploitation of mineral resources in the international seabed area (the “Area”) which lies beyond national jurisdiction, considered the “common heritage of mankind.”
- Functions:
- Granting exploration and mining licences for deep-sea minerals such as polymetallic nodules, sulphides, and cobalt-rich crusts.
- Ensuring equitable sharing of benefits from seabed resources among all member states.
- Protecting the marine environment through regulations and mandatory environmental impact assessments.
- Membership: 167 countries + European Union.
- Key decision-making bodies; the Legal and Technical Commission provides expert recommendations.
