After the allotment of mine site in the Central Indian Ocean for exploration and development, detailed bathymetric mapping of the entire area was undertaken with the help of hydrosweep and geostatistical evaluation of resource potential was undertaken. During 1994-95 about 47 tonne of nodules were dredged from Central Indian Ocean Basin. Oceanographic data as well as core samples were collected for measuring geo-mining properties of seabed and for knowing the sea bottom environment. After completion of nodule collection cruises, deep tow survey in the mine site was taken up and about one lakh photographs were taken with the Deep Tow TV Camera. During the survey, data on sea bottom contour was collected with the side scan sonar and sub-bottom profiler fitted with the deep tow camera system. 20% of the pioneer area was relinquished in August 1994 in partial fulfilment of India's obligations as pioneer investor. The Analog Signal Processing unit and the workstation for analysis of hydrosweep data have been commissioned at NIO, Goa.