Context: The recent decision of the Union Government to auction offshore mining blocks including three off the Kollam coast in Kerala has triggered widespread protests. The Kerala government and fishing communities oppose the move, citing environmental and livelihood concerns.
Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Offshore Mining; Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act 2002; Impacts of Offshore mining.
What is Offshore Mining?
- Offshore mining is the process of retrieving mineral deposits from the deep seabed at a depth of more than 200 metres.
- In the process, poly-metallic nodules, including precipitated iron oxy-hydroxides and manganese oxides (onto which metals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, titanium and rare earth elements gather) are retrieved and unwanted sediments are flushed back into the sea.
Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act 2002:
- The OAMDR Act, 2002 regulates mineral development in India’s maritime zones. As per the OMDR Act, offshore area means the territorial waters, continental shelf, exclusive economic zone and other maritime zones of India.
- Amendment in 2023 introduced:
- Private sector participation in deep-sea mineral exploration and mining.
- Competitive e-auction process for awarding production leases for offshore minerals.
- 50-year lease period for mining blocks.
- Implications:
- Encourages private investment in resource extraction. Increases mineral availability for construction and industrial use.
- Raises concerns over environmental degradation and coastal ecosystem destruction.
- Challenges the rights of coastal communities dependent on fishing.
Offshore Mining in Kerala:
- A study by Geological Survey of India (GSI) found 745 million tonnes of construction sand off Kerala’s coast. Three mining blocks off Kollam contain 300 million tonnes of sand at depths of 48m–62m.
- Centre’s stand:
- Under the OMDR Act, the Central government has the right to control mines and minerals in offshore areas.
- Fishing and related developmental activities up to 12 nautical miles in the sea is a State subject, as per the seventh schedule of the Constitution. State control applies only up to 12 nautical miles.
- Kerala’s opposition:
- Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution against offshore mining.
- Claims mining will irreversibly damage marine biodiversity and fisheries.
Questions the Centre’s complete control over offshore mineral wealth, as States receive no direct royalty.
Impacts of Offshore Mining:
- Impact on Fisheries and Livelihoods: Kerala’s fishing industry supports 11 lakh fishermen across 222 coastal villages. Kollam parappu (Quilon Bank) is one of India’s richest fishing zones. The impacts include:
- Toxic substances released into the sea can harm aquatic ecosystems. Decline in marine catch due to habitat destruction.
- Sediment plumes from seabed excavation disrupt photosynthesis by blocking sunlight.
- Mining vessels pose risks to traditional fishing activities.
- Ecological Risks:
- Clouding of water affects the euphotic zone limits photosynthesis and plankton growth.
- Spread of sediment plumes beyond mining zones causes large-scale ecological damage.
- Disturbance of marine biodiversity affects entire food chains.
Union Government’s Justification & Response:
- Exclusion of Marine Protected Areas: The government has ensured that 130 marine protected sites across coastal states are not included in the offshore mining zones.
- Identification of Biodiversity Hotspots: 106 Important Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Areas (ICMBAs) have been identified to safeguard ecologically sensitive regions.
- Formation of Offshore Areas Mineral Trust. The trust includes coastal states as stakeholders with funds allocated for mitigating environmental damage and supporting affected communities.
- Commitment to sustainable mining practices: The Centre asserts that mining will be conducted with appropriate safeguards to minimise ecological harm.
Way Forward
- Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before mining approvals.
- Stakeholder consultations with coastal communities and state governments.
- Revenue-sharing mechanisms to ensure coastal states benefit from offshore mining.
- Strict environmental regulations to prevent damage to marine biodiversity.
- Exploring sustainable alternatives like deep-sea mining technology with minimal disruption.