By  Paul Ploumis 30 Jun 2015  Last updated at  08:35:43 GMT

NEW DELHI (Scrap Monster): India has been granted 10,000 square kilometers near Rodriguez Triple Junction (RTJ) in southern Indian Ocean for exploration of mineral deposits and precious metals including gold and silver. This is the first ever seabed exploration by India of polymetallic sulphide mineral deposit.

 

According to scientists at the Goa-based National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), the 15-year exploration license was granted last year by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The first level of exploration works has been completed. The scientists are currently working upon the data collected during the initial phase. The second level of exploration activities will be taken up jointly by the NCAOR and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).

 

The exploration activities will be carried out using ROSUB 6000- an underwater remotely operated vehicle domestically developed at NIOT. This vehicle could operate in depths of around 6,000 metres. The vehicle is capable of identifying black smokers which ejects minerals while emitting hot liquid. The high resolution cameras could capture quality videos from a distance of up to 1.5 metres.

 

As per NCAOR scientists, Polymetallic sulphide holds gold and silver in minor quantities in addition to copper, iron and lead in commercial quantities. The exploration will also study about chemosynthetic bacteria which forms the base of our food chain.