Executive Summary:
This document is the response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 57 regarding the auctioning of offshore mineral blocks, specifically addressing concerns raised about Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and consultations with coastal communities. It clarifies that consultations with relevant ministries occurred before the auction notification, and EIAs are required during the exploration phase. There is no plan to cancel or revise the tender process, and concerns are addressed through existing rules.
Key Points / Main Content:
Offshore Area Notification:
* Prior consultation with stakeholder Ministries/Departments is mandatory before notifying any offshore area for operating rights, according to Rule 52 of the Offshore Areas Operating Right Rules, 2024.
* The Ministry of Mines consulted related Ministries/Departments, including the Department of Fisheries and MoEFCC, and received no objections before notifying blocks for auction.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA):
* The successful bidder must undertake exploration, including preliminary EIA studies, as per the Offshore Areas Existence of Mineral Resources Rules (OAEMRR), 2024.
* A production plan, including an environment management plan with baseline information, impact assessment, and mitigation measures, is required before production operations, according to the Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2024.
* No prior EIAs were conducted before issuing a notification in 2010 for allocation of 62 offshore blocks, including those off the coast of Kerala.
Consultation and Concerns:
* Concerns of fishermen and local communities will be specifically addressed during the preparation of the production plan and Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
* There is no proposal under consideration to cancel or revise the tender process.
Legal Framework:
* Issues regarding offshore mining are addressed through provisions in the Rules under the Offshore Areas Mineral Development and Regulation Act.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Mines:
* Impact: Responsible for ensuring compliance with consultation and EIA requirements.
* Action Required: Continue consulting with relevant ministries and ensure adherence to rules during the exploration and production phases.
Successful Bidders:
* Impact: Required to conduct exploration, including preliminary EIAs, and prepare a production plan with an environmental management plan.
* Action Required: Undertake exploration as per OAEMRR, 2024, and develop a production plan and EMP that addresses environmental concerns and complies with regulations.
Coastal Communities (including fishermen in Kerala):
* Impact: Potentially affected by offshore mining activities. Concerns will be addressed during the preparation of the production plan and EMP.
* Action Required: Engage in consultations during the preparation of the production plan and EMP to voice concerns and provide input.
Department of Fisheries and Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC):
* Impact: Consulted before notification of blocks for auction.
* Action Required: Continue to provide input and oversight during the exploration and production phases to ensure environmental and fisheries concerns are adequately addressed.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Mines: The Indian government ministry responsible for the administration and regulation of mines and minerals.
SHRI HIBI EDEN: Member of Parliament who raised questions regarding auctioning of offshore mineral blocks.
Kerala: A state in India where coastal communities' consultation regarding offshore mineral blocks auction is under consideration.
SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY: The Minister of Coal and Mines who provided the answer to the questions raised in the Lok Sabha.
Offshore Areas Operating Right Rules, 2024: A set of rules that mandate prior consultation with stakeholder Ministries/Departments before notifying any offshore area for grant of operating right.
Department of Fisheries: A government department consulted by the Ministry of Mines before notification of blocks for auction.
Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change MoEFCC: A government ministry consulted by the Ministry of Mines before notification of blocks for auction.
Offshore Areas Existence of Mineral Resources Rules OAEMRR, 2024: Rules related to exploration in the offshore area, including the requirement for preliminary environmental impact assessment EIA studies.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINES
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. *57
ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
AUCTIONING OF OFFSHORE MINERAL BLOCKS
*57. SHRI HIBI EDEN:
Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:
(a) whether any independent and impartial Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)
were conducted before identifying and tendering the thirteen offshore mining blocks in
the country, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government has consulted coastal communities in Kerala before
floating tenders for the auction of three offshore mineral blocks, if so, the details thereof
and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government is considering to cancel or revise the tender process until
such consultation is held, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) whether the Government is aware of the unanimous opposition by political parties
and fishing communities in Kerala to deep-sea mining activities proposed off its coast,
if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House.THE STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED
QUESTION NO. 57 REGARDING ‘AUCTIONING OF OFFSHORE MINERAL
BLOCKS ASKED BY SHRI HIBI EDEN, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR REPLY
ON 23RD JULY, 2025.
(a) & (b): As per Rule 5(2) of the Offshore Areas Operating Right Rules, 2024, prior
consultation with stakeholder Ministries/Departments, is mandatory before notifying
any offshore area for grant of operating right. In the present case, the Ministry of Mines
has consulted related Ministries/Departments including the Department of Fisheries
and Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), before
notification of blocks for auction and the no objection of all Ministries/Departments was
received prior to notification for auction.
The successful bidder of composite licence is required to undertake exploration in the
offshore area as per the Offshore Areas Existence of Mineral Resources Rules
(OAEMRR), 2024. One of the requirements for exploration includes the requirement
for preliminary environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies. Thereafter, grant of
production lease to Composite License Holder may be considered by the
Government.
Further, as per the provisions of the Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and
Development Rules, 2024, no production operations shall be undertaken except in
accordance with a production plan. The production plan, inter-alia, includes
environment management plan indicating baseline information, impact assessment
and mitigation measures. The concerns of fishermen and local communities will be
specifically addressed during the preparation of the production plan and
Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
Earlier, a notification dated 07.06.2010 was issued for allocation of 62 offshore blocks
including blocks off the coast of Kerala for the grant of exploration licences. At that
time also, no prior Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) were conducted before
issuing notification.
(c): No such proposal is under consideration.
(d): The issues raised regarding offshore mining are addressed through the provisions
made in the Rules under the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation)
Act.
*****