Ocean Mining In India

Geological Survey of India [GSI], an attached office with the Ministry of Mines has undertaken studies to assess the economic mineral bearing areas within the Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ] and the Territorial Waters [TW] of India. The details are given in Annexure.

Details of expenditure incurred by the Geological Survey of India for exploration in offshore areas is given below :-

Annexure

GSI have delineated economic mineral bearing areas within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India including the Territorial Waters.  The findings of the surveys are given below:

• Heavy mineral sands comprising ilmenite, rutile, zircon, sillimanite, monazite and garnet found off East coast (Orissa and Andhra Pradesh).
• Similar heavy mineral sands comprising ilmenite, rutile, zircon, sillimanite, monazite and garnet have been found off West coast (Kerala –Tamil Nadu).
• Heavy mineral sands comprising ilmenite and magnetite also have been found off Ratnagiri in the West coast.
• Oolites and calcareous sands have been found in the continental shelf off Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,  Maharashtra and Gujarat coast.
• High grade of lime mud occurrences is found in water depth of 100 – 200 m off Andhra coast.
• High grade lime mud deposit found in water depth of 180 – 1200 m off Gujarat.
• Phosphatic sediment (17 – 19% P₂O₅) found in water depths of 100 – 200 m south east off Chennai.
• Phosphatic sediments (15 – 20% P₂O₅) found in water depths of 200 – 1000 m off Gujarat coast.
• Reconnaissance Survey, for identification of potential areas for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and occurrences of construction grade sand has been carried out off Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Potential areas of occurrences of construction grade sand off Kerala coast have been identified.
• Occurrence of micro-manganese nodules has been identified, within a wide area west of Lakshadweep, at water depths ranging from 2800 meters to 4300 meters.  The chemical composition of these nodules are as follows: Manganese: 5% – 41%, Iron: 0.3 – 5.3%, Copper: 530 – 900 parts per million [ppm]; Lead: 230 – 1600 ppm; Zinc: 790 – 4800 ppm; Nickel: 700 – 1000 ppm; Cobalt: 80 – 300 ppm; Ferromanganese encrustations has also been located in the Andaman sea offBatti Malva.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Mines, Shri Dinsha Patel in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha