India signs deepsea mining exploration deal with International Seabed Authority

India has signed a 15-year contract with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for exclusive rights to explore polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean. The government said Saturday that India was the first country to hold two ISA contracts for polymetallic sulphides.

An earlier agreement with the United Nations body, which regulates mineral exploration and exploitation in international seabed areas, covered the Central and Southwest Indian Ridges. The country now holds the largest exploration area allotted by the ISA for these deep-sea mineral deposits.