**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Unstarred Question No. 1707 in the Lok Sabha concerning offshore deep-sea mining in Kerala, specifically responding to concerns raised about the auctioning of offshore mining blocks, environmental impacts, protection of fishing communities, and potential suspension of auctions. The Minister of Earth Sciences outlines the procedures, safeguards, and regulations in place for offshore mining activities. The response references specific rules and acts governing these operations. The document is in response to questions raised on December 10th, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Auction of Offshore Blocks:**
* The Central Government launched an auction of 13 offshore blocks on November 28, 2024, including three blocks off the coast of Kerala for construction sand.
* **Consultation and Approvals:**
* Prior consultation with stakeholder Ministries/Departments (including MoEF & CC, the Department of Fisheries, and the Ministry of Earth Sciences) is mandatory before notifying any offshore area for operating rights.
* The Ministry of Mines consulted with relevant Ministries/Departments, and no objections were received before the auction notification.
* Successful bidders must obtain all necessary consents, approvals, permits, and no-objections under applicable laws before commencing production or exploration, including those related to environmental protection.
* **Environmental Safeguards:**
* MoEF & CC has notified 130 Marine Protected Areas across coastal states and islands.
* 106 coastal and marine sites have been identified as Important Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Areas (ICMBAs).
* Offshore blocks have been carved by excluding these protected areas.
* Production operations require a production plan, including an environmental management plan with baseline information, impact assessment, and mitigation measures.
* **Offshore Areas Mineral Trust:**
* The Offshore Areas Mineral Trust has been established as a non-profit autonomous body under Section 16A of the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002.
* Coastal states are members of the Governing Body and Executive Committee of the Trust.
* Funds from the Trust will be used for research, administration, studies, mitigation of adverse impacts on the ecology, disaster relief, and the benefit of those affected by exploration or production operations.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Earth Sciences**
* **Impact:** The Ministry is required to operate within the established regulatory framework and ensure environmental protection and stakeholder consultation.
* **Action Required:** Ensure compliance with the Offshore Areas Operating Right Rules, 2024 and Offshore Areas Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2024 and continued consultation with other stakeholders.
**Fishing Communities, Coastal Ecosystems**
* **Impact:** Their livelihoods and environment could be affected by offshore mining activities.
* **Action Required:** Monitor mining operations, participate in consultations, and report any adverse impacts to relevant authorities.
**Successful/Preferred Bidders**
* **Impact:** Subject to compliance with stringent environmental and regulatory requirements.
* **Action Required:** Obtain all required consents, approvals, permits, and no-objections before commencing operations, including those relating to environmental protection. Develop and implement a comprehensive environmental management plan.
Key Entities Referenced
Kerala: State in India where offshore deep-sea mining is being considered, prompting protests.
Offshore Areas Mineral (Auction) Rules, 2024: Rules governing the auction of offshore mineral areas, specifying conditions for approvals and environmental protection.
Ministry of Earth Sciences: The primary ministry responsible for addressing the parliamentary question regarding offshore deep-sea mining.
Offshore Areas Operating Right Rules, 2024: Rules that mandate prior consultation with stakeholder ministries/departments before notifying any offshore area for the grant of operating rights.
Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2024: Rules mandating that production operations be undertaken in accordance with a production plan, including an environmental management plan.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1707
TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 10th DECEMBER, 2025
OFFSHORE DEEP-SEA MINING IN KERALA
1707. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:
Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is true that persistent protests in Kerala against the Centre's plan to auction
offshore deep-sea mining blocks and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the mining proposals had environmental and social impact assessments and if so,
the details thereof;
(c) the details of safeguards being mandated to protect the livelihoods of fishing communities,
marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems in Kerala; and
(d) the details of the steps taken by the Government to suspend further auctions in ecologically
sensitive coastal States pending a transparent, participatory review of the proposed offshore
mining policy?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) to (d) The Central Government has launched the first tranche of auction of 13 offshore
blocks on 28.11.2024 for the grant of a composite licence, i.e. exploration licence-
cum-production lease. This includes three offshore blocks of construction sand off the
coast of Kerala beyond the territorial waters.
As per Rule 5(2) of the Offshore Areas Operating Right Rules, 2024, prior
consultation with stakeholder Ministries/Departments, including the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC), the Department of Fisheries
and the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is mandatory before notifying any offshore area
for the grant of operating rights. In the present case, the Ministry of Mines has
consulted with the MoEF & CC, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Earth Sciences
and other related Ministries/Departments before notification of blocks for auction and
no objection from all Ministries/Departments was received prior to notification for
auction.
Further, Rule 10(5) and Rule 18(3) of the Offshore Areas Mineral (Auction) Rules,
2024, mandate that the Successful/Preferred Bidder obtain all consents, approvals,
permits, and no-objections required under applicable laws before commencement of
production or exploration operations, including those relating to environmental
protection.In order to conserve marine species, MoEF & CC has notified 130 Marine Protected
Areas across the Coastal States and Islands and 106 coastal and marine sites have been
identified and prioritised as Important Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Areas
(ICMBAs) to take care of marine species conservation. The offshore blocks have been
carved by excluding these areas.
Furthermore, 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 an
environmental management plan indicating baseline information, impact assessment
and mitigation measures.
Additionally, Section 16A of the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and
Regulation) Act, 2002 provides for the establishment of the Offshore Areas Mineral
Trust as a non-profit autonomous body. Accordingly, the Offshore Areas Mineral
Trust has been established vide S.O. 3246(E) dated 09.08.2024. The coastal States
have been made members of the Governing Body and Executive Committee of the
Trust.
The funds accruing to the Trust shall, inter-alia, be used for research, administration,
studies and related expenditure with respect to offshore areas and mitigation of any
adverse impact that may be caused to the ecology in the offshore area, due to
operations undertaken, providing relief upon the occurrence of any disaster in the
offshore area and for the interest and benefit of persons affected by exploration or
production operations undertaken.
Through these provisions, the Government has ensured that adequate safeguards are
in place to protect the livelihoods of fishing communities, marine biodiversity, and
coastal ecosystems, while maintaining a transparent and participatory framework for
offshore mining policy.
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