Target 140+ Part 2 Lecture 5

WHAT IS DEEP SEA MINING?

Deep sea mining involves removing mineral deposits and metals from the ocean’s seabed.

What is deep sea mining?

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the extraction of
mineral resources from the ocean below 200 metres is called deep sea mining.
 Hydrothermal vent

What are the proposed methods to conduct deep sea mining?

According to Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSSC), an initiative formed in 2004 to
safeguard deep-sea ecosystems, the seabed can be mined in three ways:

Extracting metals from polymetallic nodules on abyssal plains: Abyssal plains are
underwater plains on the sea floor. Polymetallic nodules contain a variety of metals
including manganese, iron, copper, nickel, cobalt, lead and zinc, and small but significant
concentrations of molybdenum, lithium, titanium, and niobium, among others.

Stripping cobalt crusts from seamounts: Scientists believe that underwater mountains
formed through volcanic activity are potentially rich in cobalt Cobalt crusts accumulate at
depths of between 400 and 7,000 metres. Seamounts are also rich sources of iron,
manganese, nickel, copper and rious rare metals, including rare earth elements.

Extracting polymetallic sulphides from hydrothermal vents: These are also called sea floor
massive sulphides and are rich in copper, iron, zinc, silver and gold. Active hydrothermal
vents are also homes to unique ecosystems, containing chemosynthetic bacteria, giant tube
worms, crustaceans, molluscs and other species -many believed to be endemic to the vents.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA)

Headquarters: Kingston, Jamaica

Role: The ISA is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Its primary role is to organize, regulate and control all mineralrelated activities in the
international seabed area beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, an area underlying most
of the world's oceans.

It is also responsible for ensuring the protection of the marine environment from harmful
effects that may arise from such activities.

The ISA has approved numerous exploration contracts but has not yet authorized
commercial mining. This suggests a cautious approach, balancing the potential economic
benefits of seabed mining with the need for careful regulation to prevent environmental
harm.

Polymetallic Nodules (PMN): India has been allotted a site of 75,000 square kilometres in
the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for the
exploitation of Polymetallic Nodules (PMN).

Polymetallic Nodules
Definition: Polymetallic nodules, also known as manganese nodules, are rock concretions
formed of concentric layers of iron and manganese hydroxides around a core.

Formation: The core of a polymetallic nodule may be formed from the nucleus of a dead
organism or some other debris.

Location: These nodules are found scattered on the seafloor of world oceans in deep sea.

Size: They vary in size from tiny particles visible only under a microscope to large nodules up
to 20 centimetres across.

Composition: Polymetallic nodules are rich in metals such as manganese, nickel, copper,
cobalt, lithium, molybdenum, iron, and Rare Earth Elements.

Potential Resource: They are considered valuable as potential resources for the future,
providing a significant source of these metals without the environmental challenges of land-
based mining.

Extraction Challenges: The extraction of these nodules from the deep sea floor is a complex
and potentially environmentally disruptive process.
Regulation: The extraction process is subject to regulation by the International Seabed
Authority to prevent potential environmental harm.

The Clarion Clipperton Zone, or CCZ, in the eastern Pacific is the most studied area of
commercial interest for deep sea mining.
Situated at depths between 3,500 and 5,500 metres, this one zone contains more nickel,
manganese and cobalt than all terrestrial resources combined.

CCZ falls outside national jurisdictions, and hence is regulated by the ISA. So far, the
authority has granted 16 exploration contracts in the CCZ.

UNCLOS created three new institutions:

 International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea- It is an independent judicial body
established by UNCLOS to adjudicate disputes arising out of the convention.

 International Seabed Authority- It is a UN body set up to regulate the exploration and

exploitation of marine non-living resources of oceans in international waters.

 Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf- It facilitates the implementation of

the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (the Convention) in respect of the
establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles.

UNCLOS
UNCLOS, established from the third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea
(1973-1982), provides a comprehensive legal framework for all marine and maritime
activities.

The convention came into force in 1994.

UNCLOS sets limits, navigation, archipelagic status and transit regimes, exclusive economic
zones (EEZs), continental shelf jurisdiction, and deep seabed mining.

It provides measures for Marine Protected Areas, environmental impact assessments, and
the protection of the marine environment.

UNCLOS does not deal with territorial disputes or sovereignty issues.

Deep Ocean Mission

Launch: The Ministry of Earth Sciences has launched the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM).

The overall estimated cost of the Deep Ocean Mission is Rs. 4077 crores for a period of five
years (2021 to 2026).

Aim: The mission aims to study biodiversity, the impact of climate change, and establish an
offshore marine station to explore sources of thermal energy.
Six Components of the Mission:

-Development of a Manned Submersible and Integrated Mining System

-Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services

-Exploration of Deep-Sea Flora and Fauna

-Identification of Sources of Hydrothermal Minerals

-Development of OTEC Powered Desalination Plants

-Grooming of Ocean Biology and Engineering Experts.

The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) is developing a manned submersible to

carry three human beings to 6000 m ocean depth.

The multi-disciplinary work will be piloted by the MoES and other government departments
like DRDO, ISRO, CSIR, Department of Biotechnology, will be stakeholders.

Impact Of Deep Sea Mining

According to a report by non-profit Planet Tracker, the negative impact on biodiversity could
be up to 25 times greater than that of land-based mining.

Cost of Restoration: Advocates suggest that installing artificial clay nodules to replace those
lost could mitigate the impacts. However, the cost of this restoration would be between
$5.3 - $5.7 million per square kilometre, compared with a $2.7 million price per square
kilometre to mine them.

Biodiversity Loss: The deep sea is a habitat for many unique species that could be lost due
to mining. Many of these species are yet to be discovered and studied. The loss of these
species could have cascading effects on the marine food chain.
Habitat Destruction: Mining can lead to the destruction of physical habitats in the deep sea.
These habitats often take a long time to recover, if they can at all.

Pollution: Mining can cause pollution in the form of noise, light, and chemicals. The release
of stored carbon in the deep sea could also contribute to climate change.

Sediment Plumes: Mining can stir up sediment from the sea floor, creating plumes that can
travel long distances. These plumes can smother marine life and affect the water's chemical
balance.

Unknown Consequences: The deep sea is the least understood part of the Earth. Mining
could have unforeseen consequences that we are not prepared for.

Technological and Funding Challenges: Any deep-sea activity is hugely expensive and
presents significant technological challenges. This is particularly true in areas like Norway's
High Arctic, where difficult weather conditions and ice sheets present additional obstacles.

Regulation Concerns: Effectiveness of International Seabed Authority regulations is

uncertain.
 Small Island nations of the Pacific Ocean are in fact “large ocean states”, said Prime
Minister Narendra Modi

1ST= 2014 fiji

2nd = 2015 jaipur

3rd Summit

 Papua New Guinea

 India and 14 PICs, namely Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru,
Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday unveiled a 12-point development plan for the
Pacific Island nations in a range of areas including healthcare, renewable energy and cyber-
security as he announced that India is ready to share its capabilities with the region
"without any hesitation".

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP):

Objective: The scheme aims to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices to all,
especially the poor and disadvantaged.

Implementation: The scheme is implemented by the Department of Pharmaceuticals,

Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK): These are exclusive outlets set up
under the scheme to distribute generic drugs.

Generic Medicines: Generic medicines are unbranded medicines that have the same
efficacy as branded ones but are available at much lower prices.

Product Range: The scheme covers over 2000 products including tablets, capsules, syrups,
creams, and wound care products.

Affordable medicines & Reliable implants for treatment Program- AMRIT

 MOHFW
  To make available & accessible at very affordable rates

Tirukkural:

Authorship: The Tirukkural is traditionally attributed to Valluvar, also known as

Thiruvalluvar. However, the exact details about Valluvar's life remain unknown.

Content: The Tirukkural is divided into three sections - virtue (aram), wealth (porul), and
love (inbam). It covers a wide range of topics from ethics, cosmic order, society, politics,
economics, statecraft, love, and pleasure.

Influence: The Tirukkural has had a significant influence on scholars and leaders across
various fields over its history. It has been translated into at least 40 Indian and non-Indian
languages, making it one of the most translated ancient works.

Universality: The Tirukkural is widely acknowledged for its universality and secular nature. It
is considered a masterpiece and one of the most important texts of Tamil literature.

Dating: The text has been dated variously from 300 BCE to 5th century CE. The traditional
accounts describe it as the last work of the third Sangam, but linguistic analysis suggests a
later date of 450 to 500 CE.