GSI discovers millions of tonnes of precious metals and minerals in Indian waters

Scientists from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) have discovered the presence of millions of tonnes of precious metals and minerals deep under the waters within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of peninsular India.
They have confirmed the presence large amount of lime mud, phosphate-rich and calcareous sediments, hydrocarbons, metalliferous deposits and micronodules. They believe that deeper and more extensive exploration could lead to a larger treasure trove.
The presence of lime mud, phosphate-rich sediments was discovered off Karwar, Mangaluru and Chennai coasts, gas hydrate in the channel-levee system of Mannar Basin off the Tamil Nadu coast, icro-manganese nodules around Lakshadweep Sea and cobalt-bearing ferro-manganese crust from the Andaman Sea.

Background

GSI for first time had identified huge presence of marine resources off Mangaluru, Mannar Basin, Chennai, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and around Lakshadweep in early 2014. After three years of exploration, it had generated 181,025 square kilometres of high-resolution seabed morphological data and established the occurrence of more than 10,000 million tonnes of lime mud within the EEZ of India.
GST had carried out the ‘High Resolution Seabed Mapping and Natural Resource Evaluation’ using three state-of-the-art research vessels — Samudra Ratnakar, Samudra Kaustabh and Samudra Saudikama. The main objective of the survey was to identify potential zones of favourable mineralisation and evaluate marine mineral resources.

About Geological Survey of India (GSI)

The GSI is a government organisation in India, attached to the Ministry of Mines for conducting geological surveys and studies. It is one of the premier organisations of earth science survey and research in the world.
The GSI was established in 1851 and is one of the oldest of such organisations in the world and the second oldest survey institution in the country. It is the prime provider of basic earth science information to the government, industry and the general public. Its main functions is related to creation and updation of national geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2017