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India Auctions Two Offshore Mineral Blocks in Andaman Sea, Boosting Mineral Security
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News18•01-10-2026, 20:00
India Auctions Two Offshore Mineral Blocks in Andaman Sea, Boosting Mineral Security
- •The Indian government has launched the auction of two offshore mineral blocks, Sewell Rise-01 and West Sewell Ridge-01, in the Andaman Sea, covering over 1,632 square kilometers.
- •These blocks contain polymetallic nodules and crusts rich in critical minerals like cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper, and rare earth elements, essential for advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and electric mobility.
- •Keshav Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, virtually launched the auction for a composite license, marking a significant step towards unlocking India's offshore mineral potential and strengthening long-term mineral security.
- •The initiative aims to enhance domestic mineral availability and calls for scientific, technological, and environmentally responsible development of these offshore resources.
- •Prospective bidders and industry stakeholders are urged to actively participate in the auction and invest in offshore exploration and responsible resource development.
Key Questions Answered
The government launched the auction for two offshore mineral blocks in the Andaman Sea named Sewell Rise-01 and West Sewell Ridge-01, spanning over 1,632 square kilometres.
The blocks contain polymetallic nodules and crusts that host essential minerals including cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper, and rare earth elements.
The government eased offshore mineral auction rules by reducing the minimum number of required technical bidders from three to two, aiming to prevent future auctions from stalling.
