Samudrayaan/Deep Ocean Mission: News & Updates
- Thread starter RISING SUN
- Start date
Construction of this thing is ongoing:
They have started testing the rescue vehicle for this submersible.
India in undersea race to mine world’s battery metal
21 March 2024
By Navin Singh Khadka, Environment correspondent, BBC World Service
India is taking another step in its quest to find valuable minerals hidden in the depths of the ocean which could hold the key to a cleaner future. The country, which already has two deep-sea exploration licences in the Indian Ocean, has applied for two more amid increasing competition between major global powers to secure critical minerals.By Navin Singh Khadka, Environment correspondent, BBC World Service
Countries including China, Russia and India are vying to reach the huge deposits of mineral resources - cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese - that lie thousands of metres below the surface of oceans. These are used to produce renewable energy such as solar and wind power, electric vehicles and battery technology needed to battle against climate change.
India's deep-sea exploration vessel Matsya 6000, which is currently under development
The UN-affiliated International Seabed Authority (ISA) has issued 31 exploration licences so far, of which 30 are active. Its member countries are meeting in Jamaica this week to discuss regulations around giving out mining licences.
If the ISA approves India's new applications, its licence count will be equal to that of Russia and one less than China.
One of India's applications seeks to explore polymetallic sulphides - chimney-like mounds near hydrothermal vents containing copper, zinc, gold and silver - in the Carlsberg Ridge of the Central Indian Ocean. The ISA's legal and technical commission has sent a list of comments and questions about this to the Indian government, according to a document seen by the BBC.
In response to the other application - to explore the cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts of the Afanasy-Nikitin Seamount in the Central Indian Ocean - the commission has noted that another unnamed country has claimed the seabed area (that India has applied for) as part of their extended continental shelf and asked India for a response. Whatever the outcome of the applications, one thing is clear: India does not want to fall behind in the race to secure critical minerals from the bottom of the oceans. "The Indian Ocean promises tremendous potential reserves and that expanse has motivated the government of India to increase its scientific exploration of the ocean's depths," says Nathan Picarsic, co-founder of Horizon Advisory, a US-based geopolitical and supply chain intelligence provider.
India, China, Germany and South Korea already have exploration licences for polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean ridge area.
In 2022, India's National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) conducted trials of its mining machine at a depth of 5,270m in the central Indian Ocean basin and collected some polymetallic nodules (potato-shaped rocks that lie on the seafloor and are rich in manganese, cobalt, nickel, and copper).
India's earth sciences ministry did not respond to the BBC's questions on the country's deep-sea mining plans.
"India may be ultimately seeking to project that it is a powerhouse in its own right, one that is not to be outrivalled in its own backyard, as well as to give the impression that it is not lagging behind the Chinese when it comes to the deep sea," says Pradeep Singh, who works on ocean governance at the Research Institute for Sustainability in Potsdam, Germany.
In 2022, India collected some polymetallic nodules from the Indian Ocean as part of a trial
The US is not part of the race to mine international waters as it has not ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the agreement which led to the creation of the ISA. Instead, it aims to source minerals from its domestic seabed and process ones mined by its allies from international waters.
Supporters of deep seabed exploration say that mining on land has almost reached a saturation point, resulting in low-quality production, and that many of the mineral source-areas are plagued by conflict or environmental issues. But environmental campaigners say the deep seabed is the last frontier in the planet that remains largely unstudied and untouched by humanity and mining there could cause irreparable damage, no matter how pressing the need.
Around two dozen countries - including the UK, Germany, Brazil and Canada - are also demanding either a halt or a temporary pause on deep-sea mining, given what they say is a lack of information about the marine ecosystems in those depths.
The World Bank has projected that extraction of critical minerals will need to increase fivefold by 2050 to meet the demand for clean energy technologies. India has a short-term target of increasing its renewables capacity to 500 gigawatts by 2030, and meeting 50% of its energy requirements from renewables by then, with the long-term goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2070.
To meet these targets, experts say India will need to secure critical minerals from all possible sources including the deep seabed.
Currently, a few countries dominate the production of critical minerals on land. Australia is a major producer of lithium, while Chile is the top provider of copper. China predominantly produces graphite and rare earths (used in smartphones and computers). But there are geopolitical concerns about China's dominance in processing these minerals before they enter the supply chain.
China - which has honed processing technologies and expertise over decades - currently controls 100% of the refined supply of natural graphite and dysprosium, 70% of cobalt and almost 60% of all processed lithium and manganese, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. Moreover, Beijing has banned the export of some of its processing technologies.
"We are up against a dominant supplier that is willing to weaponise market power for political gain," US energy secretary Jennifer Granholm said at a critical minerals and clean energy summit in August 2023.
It's to counter China that the US and several western countries launched the Minerals Security Partnership - to catalyse "investment in responsible critical minerals supply chains" - in 2022. India is now a member. India has also signed an agreement with Russia to develop deep-sea mining technologies.
"The confluence of rising geopolitical tensions and the energy transition is speeding up the scramble to extract, process and utilise critical minerals," Mr Picarsic says.
India in undersea race to mine world’s battery metal
The country has applied for two new licences to explore the deep seabed in parts of the Indian Ocean.
www.bbc.com
India's deep sea mining trials: Varaha-3 collects polymetallic nodules in Andaman Sea
India Today Science Desk
New Delhi, UPDATED: Oct 4, 2024, 09:30 IST
These nodules are rich in essential metals such as nickel, cobalt, and copper, which are crucial for various industries, including renewable energy and electric vehicle production.
The seabed mining machine Varaha-3 ahead of deployment. (Photo: NIOT)
In Short
The locations for these trials were previously surveyed and identified by the Geological Survey of India, highlighting the potential for valuable mineral resources beneath the ocean floor.
During the trials, Varaha-3 operated at a depth of 1,193 meters, where it collected polymetallic nodules ranging in size from 60 to 120 mm.
Nodules of sizes 60 - 120 mm were collected from one of the locations at depths of 1193 m. (Photo: NIOT)
These nodules are rich in essential metals such as nickel, cobalt, and copper, which are crucial for various industries, including renewable energy and electric vehicle production. The successful collection of these nodules marks a significant step forward in India's deep-sea mining capabilities.
The Varaha-3 machine is part of India's broader efforts to develop advanced technology for deep-sea exploration and resource extraction. It is designed to operate in challenging underwater conditions and is capable of efficiently collecting nodules from the seabed while minimizing environmental impact.
This aligns with India's commitment to sustainable practices in ocean resource management.
The exploratory trials not only demonstrate the technical capabilities of Varaha-3 but also pave the way for future commercial mining operations.
The Indian government has invested significantly in deep-sea mining technology as part of its Deep Ocean Mission, which aims to explore and utilize oceanic resources responsibly.
As part of this mission, NIOT is also working on an integrated mining system that will enhance the efficiency of nodule extraction and transportation to surface vessels. This includes developing systems that can crush the nodules in situ and pump them to waiting ships through flexible riser systems.
The successful trials in the Andaman Sea represent a crucial milestone for India's ambitions in deep-sea mining.
With ongoing research and development, India aims to become a leader in sustainable seabed resource extraction while contributing to global efforts to meet rising demand for critical minerals needed for clean energy technologies.
India's deep sea mining trials: Varaha-3 collects polymetallic nodules in Andaman Sea
India Today Science Desk
New Delhi, UPDATED: Oct 4, 2024, 09:30 IST
These nodules are rich in essential metals such as nickel, cobalt, and copper, which are crucial for various industries, including renewable energy and electric vehicle production.
The seabed mining machine Varaha-3 ahead of deployment. (Photo: NIOT)
In Short
- Varaha-3 operated at a depth of 1,193 meters
- It collected polymetallic nodules ranging in size from 60 to 120 mm.
- It's part of India's broader efforts to develop advanced technology for deep-sea exploration
The locations for these trials were previously surveyed and identified by the Geological Survey of India, highlighting the potential for valuable mineral resources beneath the ocean floor.
During the trials, Varaha-3 operated at a depth of 1,193 meters, where it collected polymetallic nodules ranging in size from 60 to 120 mm.
Nodules of sizes 60 - 120 mm were collected from one of the locations at depths of 1193 m. (Photo: NIOT)
These nodules are rich in essential metals such as nickel, cobalt, and copper, which are crucial for various industries, including renewable energy and electric vehicle production. The successful collection of these nodules marks a significant step forward in India's deep-sea mining capabilities.
The Varaha-3 machine is part of India's broader efforts to develop advanced technology for deep-sea exploration and resource extraction. It is designed to operate in challenging underwater conditions and is capable of efficiently collecting nodules from the seabed while minimizing environmental impact.
This aligns with India's commitment to sustainable practices in ocean resource management.
The exploratory trials not only demonstrate the technical capabilities of Varaha-3 but also pave the way for future commercial mining operations.
The Indian government has invested significantly in deep-sea mining technology as part of its Deep Ocean Mission, which aims to explore and utilize oceanic resources responsibly.
As part of this mission, NIOT is also working on an integrated mining system that will enhance the efficiency of nodule extraction and transportation to surface vessels. This includes developing systems that can crush the nodules in situ and pump them to waiting ships through flexible riser systems.
The successful trials in the Andaman Sea represent a crucial milestone for India's ambitions in deep-sea mining.
With ongoing research and development, India aims to become a leader in sustainable seabed resource extraction while contributing to global efforts to meet rising demand for critical minerals needed for clean energy technologies.
India's deep sea mining trials: Varaha-3 collects polymetallic nodules in Andaman Sea
Samudrayaan mission to be piloted by retired Indian Navy submariner
The crew for this groundbreaking mission will consist of three members, one of whom is confirmed to be a retired Indian Navy submariner.
By Sibu Tripathi
New Delhi, UPDATED: Oct 7, 2024, 13:17 IST
Samudrayaan Mission's Matsya-6000 submersible getting ready for wet test. (Photo: India Today/Sibu Tripathi)
India is gearing up for its ambitious Samudrayaan mission, which aims to explore the depths of the ocean with its first manned submersible, Matsya-6000.
The mission is set to undergo its maiden wet test in the final week of October, where scientists and engineers at the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) will evaluate the submersible's flotation, buoyancy, and life support systems.
This critical phase marks a significant step in the development of Matsya-6000, which is designed to dive to depths of 6,000 meters below sea level.
The crew for this groundbreaking mission will consist of three members, one of whom is confirmed to be a retired Indian Navy submariner.
The final selection of crew members is expected to be completed within the next two to three months. (Photo: India Today/Sibu Tripathi)
This former naval officer, whose name will be revealed at a later time, has joined NIOT as a scientist, post-retirement, and will contribute significantly to the training and preparedness for the mission. His experience, according to sources in the NIOT, includes working with the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle during his tenure in the Navy, providing him with invaluable expertise for operating the submersible.
NIOT is currently in the process of selecting the remaining two crew members, who may either come from the Indian Navy or be scientists from the institute.
The screening process is being conducted by the Institute of Naval Medicine (INM). Once selected, the crew will undergo a rigorous training module at the INM for two weeks, followed by specialized training in the Matsya-6000 cockpit to familiarize themselves with its design and technology.
This will be complemented by submarine pilot training in an international location that is yet to be finalized.
The final selection of crew members is expected to be completed within the next two to three months.
WET TEST PREP UNDERWAY
NIOT is also preparing for the upcoming wet test at Chennai Harbour, where they will conduct flotation tests at a depth of 15 meters. This initial test is crucial for validating the submersible's systems before deeper trials commence.
Matsya-6000 represents a significant leap for India in deep-sea exploration technology. With an investment of Rs. 4,077 crore (approximately $550 million), this project aims not only to advance scientific research but also to explore valuable ocean resources such as gas hydrates and polymetallic nodules.
The successful execution of Samudrayaan will position India among a select group of nations capable of manned deep-sea exploration, enhancing its stature in global marine research efforts.
Samudrayaan mission to be piloted by retired Indian Navy submariner
The crew for this groundbreaking mission will consist of three members, one of whom is confirmed to be a retired Indian Navy submariner.
By Sibu Tripathi
New Delhi, UPDATED: Oct 7, 2024, 13:17 IST
Samudrayaan Mission's Matsya-6000 submersible getting ready for wet test. (Photo: India Today/Sibu Tripathi)
India is gearing up for its ambitious Samudrayaan mission, which aims to explore the depths of the ocean with its first manned submersible, Matsya-6000.
The mission is set to undergo its maiden wet test in the final week of October, where scientists and engineers at the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) will evaluate the submersible's flotation, buoyancy, and life support systems.
This critical phase marks a significant step in the development of Matsya-6000, which is designed to dive to depths of 6,000 meters below sea level.
The crew for this groundbreaking mission will consist of three members, one of whom is confirmed to be a retired Indian Navy submariner.
The final selection of crew members is expected to be completed within the next two to three months. (Photo: India Today/Sibu Tripathi)
This former naval officer, whose name will be revealed at a later time, has joined NIOT as a scientist, post-retirement, and will contribute significantly to the training and preparedness for the mission. His experience, according to sources in the NIOT, includes working with the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle during his tenure in the Navy, providing him with invaluable expertise for operating the submersible.
NIOT is currently in the process of selecting the remaining two crew members, who may either come from the Indian Navy or be scientists from the institute.
The screening process is being conducted by the Institute of Naval Medicine (INM). Once selected, the crew will undergo a rigorous training module at the INM for two weeks, followed by specialized training in the Matsya-6000 cockpit to familiarize themselves with its design and technology.
This will be complemented by submarine pilot training in an international location that is yet to be finalized.
The final selection of crew members is expected to be completed within the next two to three months.
WET TEST PREP UNDERWAY
NIOT is also preparing for the upcoming wet test at Chennai Harbour, where they will conduct flotation tests at a depth of 15 meters. This initial test is crucial for validating the submersible's systems before deeper trials commence.
Matsya-6000 represents a significant leap for India in deep-sea exploration technology. With an investment of Rs. 4,077 crore (approximately $550 million), this project aims not only to advance scientific research but also to explore valuable ocean resources such as gas hydrates and polymetallic nodules.
The successful execution of Samudrayaan will position India among a select group of nations capable of manned deep-sea exploration, enhancing its stature in global marine research efforts.
Samudrayaan mission to be piloted by retired Indian Navy submariner
