UPSC Prelims 2021 · GS Paper 1 · Q46

Current Affairs

Medium · Seabed Mineral Exploration in International Waters

Consider the following statements regarding seabed mineral exploration in international waters:

1. It is the Global Ocean Commission that grants licences for exploration and mining on the seabed in international waters.

2. India holds exploration contracts from the International Seabed Authority for polymetallic nodules and polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean.

3. Rare earth minerals are found in deep-seafloor nodules and crusts in international waters.

How many of the statements given above are correct?