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RAJYA SABHA
Department of Ocean Development has developed cost effective technology to extract mines from ocean floor. A semi-continuous pilot plant has been set up at Hindustan Zinc Limited, Udaipur to validate a process for extraction of metals viz. Copper, Nickel and Cobalt from polymetallic nodules. The metal extraction technology developed is cost effective when the metal content of Copper, Nickel and Cobalt is 2% by weight in the nodule.
India has also signed a contract with the international Seabed Authority for undertaking the work for exploration of poly-metallic nodules.
As per the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, India has signed a 15-year contract with the International Seabed Authority for undertaking various developmental work pertaining to poly-metallic nodules. Under the contract, Department of Ocean Development is pursuing survey and exploration, comprehensive environmental impact assessment study in the area in Central Indian Ocean Basin, and development of technology for mining of polymetallic nodules from deep sea. Department has already developed a technology for extraction of metals – copper, Nickel and Cobalt from these nodules.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Science & Technology and Ocean Development, Shri Kapil Sibal in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
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