Ministry of Mines Hosts Workshop on Offshore Mining in New Delhi

New Delhi: The Ministry of Mines organized a workshop on Offshore Mining in New Delhi today, drawing participation from key stakeholders, government officials, industry experts, and mining enthusiasts. The event, graced by dignitaries including Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, V.L. Kantha Rao, and Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr. M. Ravichandran, aimed to explore opportunities and strategies for sustainable offshore mining in India.

In his keynote address, Secretary V.L. Kantha Rao underscored the significance of offshore mining in fostering strategic advantages for the country, including industrial growth, employment generation, and energy security. He assured attendees of the Ministry’s commitment to nurturing the offshore mining sector, encouraging innovation and technology development through collaborations with startups and private companies. Secretary Rao welcomed suggestions from industry bodies to streamline regulations and promote ease of doing business in offshore mining. He also urged stakeholders to prepare for upcoming auctions and participation in offshore mining activities.

Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, echoed the call for sustainable and environmentally friendly offshore mining practices. He stressed the need for technological advancements to harness India’s maritime potential effectively, advocating for collaboration and knowledge sharing among industry stakeholders.

Officials from the Ministry of Mines provided insights into the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, and shared details of the draft rules, currently available for public consultation on the Ministry’s website. They announced plans to auction identified offshore mineral blocks in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, targeting resources such as lime-mud, polymetallic nodules, and construction sand.

The workshop featured sessions conducted by experts from Geological Survey of India, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Directorate General of Hydrocarbon, National Institute of Oceanography, and National Institute of Ocean Technology. Domestic and international participants actively engaged in discussions on offshore exploration technologies, industry expectations, and suggestions for sectoral development.