The Polymetallic Nodules programme is oriented towards exploration and development of technologies for eventual extraction of nodules from the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) allocated to India. India is presently having an area of 75,000 square km, located about 1600 km away from her southern tip. India is one among the top 8-countries/contractors and is implementing a long-term programme on exploration and utilization of Polymetallic Nodules. The Polymetallic Nodules Programme consisting of four components viz. Survey and Exploration, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study, Technology Development (Mining) and Technology Development (Extractive Metallurgy).

Survey & Exploration:

a) Objectives

1. To identify the most potential area in the Retained Area which would form the nucleus of the 1st generation mine site for nodules in the Central Indian Basin.
2. Select ideal blocks in the First Generation Mine Site and carry out detailed observations at highest possible resolution in order to provide precursor and essential data for pilot mining.
3. Integrate the grade and abundance data with the existing data in the retained area and generate a final picture of the best blocks as far as grade and abundance are concerned.
4. Comprehensive resource evaluationof nodules in the retained area.

b) Participating Institutions:

1. National Centre for Antarctic & Ocean Research, Goa
2. National Institute of Oceanography, Goa

c) Implementation Plans:

1. Generation of contour maps, slope angle map, 3-D map of the Minesite-M-3 (42 blocks) and select ideal blocks for high resolution studies from the existing data.
2. ROV investigation of pre-selected blocks using sub-bottom penetration, single beam and multibeam mapping for microtopography etc.
3. Data processing from ROV

d) Deliverables:

The deliverables expected out of the work program would comprise detailed site-specific thematic maps of relevance for poly metallic mineral exploration, and a comprehensive geoscientific database of the area.

Preparation of a high resolution map (3-d and 2-d) of the explored area delineating microtopographic features and related analyses using GIS.

Understanding and estimation of possible seamount hydrothermal deposits in the CIOB nodule-rich area (first generation mine site)

e) Budget requirement : 75 crores

(Rs. In crores)