Consider the following statements:
1. The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed exploration and mining in international waters.
2. India has received licences for seabed mineral exploration in international waters.
3. ‘Rare earth minerals’ are present on seafloor in the international waters.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: Licences and exploration contracts for non-living resources in the international seabed area (beyond national jurisdiction) are granted exclusively by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), established under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). The Global Ocean Commission was merely an independent international policy initiative, not a licensing regulatory authority.
Statement 2 is correct: Under its Deep Ocean Mission, India has secured exploration contracts from the ISA for polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) and for polymetallic sulphides in the Central and South-West Indian Ridges.
Statement 3 is correct: Deep-seabed deposits, notably polymetallic nodules, seafloor massive sulphides, and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts, contain significant concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs), nickel, cobalt, and copper.
Thus, statements 2 and 3 are correct — Option B.