India’s Deep-Sea Mining Leap: NIOT Commences Pilot Extraction in Central Indian Ocean

In a landmark achievement for India’s maritime and technological capabilities, the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has successfully commenced pilot extraction of polymetallic nodules from the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB). Operating at a staggering depth of 5,000 meters, the indigenously developed deep-sea mining crawler marks a significant milestone under 'Project Chakra,' a key component of India’s Deep Ocean Mission. Polymetallic nodules, often referred to as manganese nodules, are mineral concretions found on the sea floor. They contain high concentrations of manganese, iron, nickel, copper, and cobalt. For India, these minerals are 'critical' as they form the backbone of the transition toward a low-carbon economy. Cobalt and nickel are indispensable for manufacturing high-capacity lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs) and grid-scale renewable energy storage systems. The successful deployment of the crawler at such extreme pressures—where the environment is pitch-black and temperatures are near freezing—demonstrates India’s growing prowess in deep-sea engineering and indigenization of technology. This move is strategically timed as global competition for seabed resources intensifies. By securing a domestic supply chain for these minerals, India reduces its heavy reliance on imports, particularly from countries that currently dominate the global processing of critical minerals.