Lok Sabha Question No. 57 (STARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Auctioning of Offshore Mineral Blocks
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *57 ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025

## AUCTIONING OF OFFSHORE MINERAL BLOCKS

- *57.  SHRI HIBI EDEN:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any independent and impartial Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) were conducted before identifying and tendering the thirteen offshore mining blocks in the country, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (b)  whether  the  Government  has  consulted  coastal  communities  in  Kerala  before floating tenders for the auction of three offshore mineral blocks, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether the Government is considering to cancel or revise the tender process until such consultation is held, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and (d) whether the Government is aware of the unanimous opposition by political parties and fishing communities in Kerala to deep-sea mining activities proposed off its coast,
- if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

## THE  STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION  NO.  57  REGARDING  'AUCTIONING  OF  OFFSHORE  MINERAL BLOCKS ASKED BY SHRI HIBI EDEN, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR REPLY ON 23 RD  JULY, 2025.

(a) & (b):  As per Rule 5(2) of the Offshore Areas Operating Right Rules, 2024, prior consultation with stakeholder Ministries/Departments, is mandatory before notifying any offshore area for grant of operating right. In the present case, the Ministry of Mines has consulted related Ministries/Departments including the Department of Fisheries and  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forests  and  Climate  Change  (MoEF&CC),  before notification of blocks for auction and the no objection of all Ministries/Departments was received prior to notification for auction.

The successful bidder of composite licence is required to undertake exploration in the offshore  area  as  per  the  Offshore  Areas  Existence  of  Mineral  Resources  Rules (OAEMRR), 2024. One of the requirements for exploration includes the requirement for preliminary environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies. Thereafter, grant of production lease to Composite License Holder may  be considered by the Government.

Further,  as  per  the  provisions  of  the  Offshore  Areas  Mineral  Conservation  and Development Rules, 2024, no production operations shall be undertaken except in accordance  with a production plan. The  production plan, inter-alia, includes environment management plan indicating baseline information, impact assessment and mitigation measures. The concerns of fishermen and local communities will be specifically addressed during the preparation of the production plan and Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

Earlier, a notification dated 07.06.2010 was issued for allocation of 62 offshore blocks including blocks off the coast of Kerala for the grant of exploration licences.  At that time also, no prior Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) were conducted before issuing notification.

(c):   No such proposal is under consideration.

(d):  The issues raised regarding offshore mining are addressed through the provisions made in the Rules under the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act.

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