The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Marine and Coastal Survey Division (MCSD) of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has successfully conducted the “Offshore Exploration: Synergies and Opportunities (OESO)” workshop in Mangalore. This event marks a significant stride toward enhancing India’s capabilities in offshore mineral exploration and exploitation.
Inaugurated by Shri V. L. Kantha Rao, Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, the workshop gathered a diverse assembly of experts from government entities, research institutions, academia, and the industry. Shri Rao acknowledged GSI’s efforts in organizing the event, which focused on promoting synergy and sharing knowledge in the offshore sector.
Shri Rao outlined GSI’s advancements, noting the transfer of 35 offshore mineral blocks to the Government of India for auction, with an additional 24 blocks in the pipeline. In light of these developments, he discussed the ongoing amendments to the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development & Regulation) Act, 2002, and the Ministry of Mines’ preparation to initiate the auction process within the next few months.
Moreover, the Ministry is developing procedures and standards of operation (SOPs) to support private sector participants who acquire these blocks. Shri Rao emphasized the wealth of data generated by GSI over 172 years and encouraged stakeholders to utilize the GSI and NGDR portals for offshore data, advocating for public access to institutional data repositories.
Shri Janardan Prasad, Director-General of GSI, highlighted the institution’s role in offshore exploration since the 1970s and the untapped potential of India’s coastal zones, rich in resources such as Polymetallic Nodules and construction sand. He called for sustainable and responsible harnessing of these resources.
The workshop’s technical sessions delved into proposed amendments to the Offshore Areas Mineral Act and the creation of guidelines for private exploration agency notification. The agenda covered GSI’s offshore activities, government initiatives, collaborative data sharing frameworks, and sustainable offshore mineral exploration practices.
Presentations by experts from the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL), and Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) addressed data acquisition and environmental considerations.
The workshop, which drew participants from various sectors, set the stage for establishing effective data sharing and collaborative research in India’s offshore exploration arena, aiming to unlock the economic potential of the nation’s vast mineral wealth.