In October, India’s National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) carried out an exploratory mining trial in the Andaman Sea. The exercise focused on extracting polymetallic nodules from the seabed. The materials are described as a resource for batteries used in electronics, electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.
The trial followed surveys by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), which identified polymetallic nodules within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The EEZ area is described as extending about 200 nautical miles from the coast and includes the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep island group in the Laccadive Sea. India holds exploration rights over this zone.
Varaha-3 trial details and planned next test
NIOT used the Varaha-3 machine to collect polymetallic nodules from the ocean floor. The device was designed for conditions in the Andaman Sea, where the seabed is described as rocky rather than soft. NIOT said Varaha-3 weighs six to seven tonnes underwater and uses a comb-like collector mechanism intended to pick up nodules with minimal environmental disturbance.
The trial took place at a depth of around 1,200 meters. This was described as shallower than an earlier test in the central Indian Ocean, where Varaha-1 was tested at depths of over 5,000 meters. NIOT reported that nodules collected during the October trial ranged from 60 to 120 millimeters.
NIOT plans another trial in 2025 in collaboration with GSI. The next exercise will aim to refine the mining system and demonstrate collecting, sizing and transporting nodules to the surface while minimizing environmental impact. The focus is on improving efficiency alongside environmental considerations.
Polymetallic nodules and their role in battery supply chains
Polymetallic nodules are described as potato-sized rocks that form over millions of years on the ocean floor. They contain metals including cobalt, copper, nickel and manganese. These metals are cited as key inputs for lithium-ion batteries used across consumer electronics, electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.
The source material also highlights environmental concerns linked to extraction. It states that mining can disturb deep-sea ecosystems and that long-term effects remain uncertain. As demand for critical minerals increases, countries are developing technologies intended to mine these resources more sustainably.
India’s deep-sea mining programme and regulatory permissions
India’s deep-sea mining efforts include work under regulation by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The ISA has granted India an exploratory license covering a 75,000 square kilometer area in the Central Indian Ocean. Separately, GSI surveys have been conducted in the Andaman and Arabian Seas to identify additional sites for polymetallic nodule deposits.
India’s Deep Ocean Mission, launched with an estimated budget of Rs. 4,077 crores (about Rs. 40 billion), includes development of deep-sea mining technologies. NIOT is working on refining its mining systems, while the Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology is focused on technology to extract and process minerals from deep-sea resources.
NIOT scientists said challenges remain even as technology improves. A senior NIOT scientist described ongoing work on refining collection systems, transporting nodules to the surface, and ensuring minimal environmental impact. The same statement said additional data from trials would be used to make systems more efficient and eco-friendly.
International calls for pauses and concerns raised by studies
Global opposition to deep-sea mining has grown alongside India’s progress, according to the source material. It says over 900 scientists and policy experts have called for a pause due to concerns about potential damage to marine ecosystems. As of 2024, 32 countries have committed to or implemented a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
The source cites environmental groups arguing that risks are too high given limited knowledge of deep-sea ecosystems. It references studies published in journals including Nature Geoscience and Current Biology, describing warnings about potential consequences for species and habitats. Research from the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean is cited as suggesting biodiversity impacts could be severe.
Sofia Tsenikli of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) is quoted emphasizing conservation needs related to ecosystems that remain poorly understood. Another study highlighted risks associated with sediment plumes and waste discharge from mining operations affecting both water column conditions and benthic ecosystems. Rahul Sharma, editor of Deep-Sea Mining and the Water Column, is cited warning that improperly managed waste discharge could harm marine life, particularly if released near oxygen minimum zones where many deep-sea species reside.
Ocean Decade context and debate over future regulation
The debate over deep-sea mining is described as intensifying during the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science (2021–2030). The Ocean Decade is presented as aiming to promote “transformative ocean science solutions for sustainable development,” balancing resource exploitation with conserving ocean ecosystems.
Rahul Sharma is cited as believing technological advancements can mitigate some environmental risks by designing systems intended to minimize interaction with the seabed. He is also described as arguing that stopping deep-sea mining entirely would be regressive without fully understanding long-term impacts. Sharma contends that responsible management may be possible with appropriate systems in place.
The source material says future decisions will depend on balancing demand for critical minerals with protection of marine ecosystems as new studies emerge. It adds that ISA preparations for next steps coincide with leadership changes expected in 2025. The stated expectation is that transparency, science and sustainability will guide future regulation decisions for deep-sea mining.