India to launch offshore mineral auction in Andaman Sea
India’s federal Ministry of Mines said on Wednesday it would launch the auction of offshore mineral blocks in the Andaman Sea on Thursday, reviving a push to develop domestic deep-sea mining after an earlier attempt failed to draw bids. The auction will cover two blocks in the Andaman Sea for the grant of a composite licence, the ministry said, adding that the move followed changes to the law in…
India's federal Ministry of Mines announced on Wednesday its plans to launch an auction for offshore mineral blocks in the Andaman Sea on Thursday. This move aims to reignite efforts to develop domestic deep-sea mining following an earlier unsuccessful bid attempt. The auction will encompass two blocks, and a composite license will be granted for exploration.
The ministry attributed this decision to recent legal changes in 2023 that permitted such offshore mineral block auctions. However, India is not contemplating a revival of offshore mining auctions in the near future, according to sources.
In November 2024, India made its first offshore mineral auction, offering 13 blocks for bidding. However, this sale was canceled in December 2025 due to repeated deadline extensions that failed to generate substantial interest. The Ministry of Mines highlighted that minerals such as cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper, and rare earth elements are crucial for the growth of electric mobility, renewable energy systems, and the electronics industry.
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