{
  "id": 10161974,
  "title": "Knowledge Nugget | Why deep-ocean exploration and polymetallic nodules matter",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/knowledge-nugget-why-deep-ocean-exploration-and-polymetallic-nodules",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-27T07:01:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/upsc-current-affairs/upsc-essentials/knowledge-nugget-great-nicobars-offshore-mineral-polymetallic-nodules-10895804/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ministry of Mines has designated two additional offshore mineral blocks near Great Nicobar Island in the Andaman Sea, totalling 1,632 square kilometres, for granting composite licences for polymetallic nodules and crusts. To proceed with mining operations, the successful bidder must engage in further exploration and determine the mineral potential of the block.\n\nPolymetallic nodules are seabed mineral deposits that consist of metals including nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper, and rare earth elements. They are the result of autogenetic crystallization, forming around a crystalline nucleus at the bottom of the deep ocean. These nodules serve as a significant source of critical minerals necessary for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, advanced batteries, and high-tech manufacturing. International Seabed Authority data reveals that polymetallic nodules are abundant in areas off the west coast of Mexico in the Pacific, the Central Indian Ocean Basin, and the Peru basin.\n\nThe deep ocean holds numerous unexplored minerals, food, fuels, gas hydrates, and biodiversity resources like fish and nutraceuticals. It is also the site of undersea cables that form a crucial part of modern global telecommunications. Ensuring India maximizes its blue economy potential is vital, which involves supporting fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, livelihoods, and blue trade. The United Nations has declared the decade from 2021 to 2030 as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Ministry of Mines designates 1,632 sq km offshore mineral blocks for polymetallic nodules.",
    "Polymetallic nodules contain nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper, and rare earth elements.",
    "Deep ocean holds minerals, food, fuels, gas hydrates, and biodiversity resources."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}