Primarily, deep-sea mining is done by extracting minerals from the ocean at thousands of meters of depth. The ocean ridges contain millions of dollars’ worth of minerals that are produced due to different chemical reactions near hydrothermal vents, undersea volcanoes, and other areas with immense geological activity. The Indian Ocean is especially known for containing minerals like nickel, cobalt, and manganese, which are essential for the construction of wind turbines, car parts, airplane parts and other important materials used in our everyday lives.
How Deep-Sea Mining is done
In this generation, deep-sea mining methods use remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and other machinery with integrated artificial intelligence and programmed languages to aid in collection of mineral-rich deposits from the seabed. These ROVs and machines essentially scrape the polymetallic nodules which are mineral-rich rock on the seabeds and collect them through a machine to pump them to the surface.
Why it is an issue in the Indian Ocean?
The Indian Ocean Ridge, sourced from the National Oceanographic Association, is a geologically active region rich in mineral deposits. Deep-sea mining in this area typically occurs at depths of 3,000 to 6,000 meters. At these depths, nearly 90% of the seafloor hosts diverse communities of bacteria, viruses, and Archaea (Corinaldesi, 2015). Fishes like Angler-fish and Rattail fish are adapted to the high-pressure, low-light conditions of these zones.
The Indian Ocean Ridge is also home to fragile benthic ecosystems that are slow to recover from disturbances. Mining activities can destroy habitats, release toxic substances, and disrupt food chains. Since many of these species are still undiscovered or poorly understood, the full ecological impact remains uncertain.
One of the most immediate threats is the generation of sediment plumes, both at the seafloor and in the water column. These plumes can smother benthic organisms, reduce light penetration, and disrupt filter-feeding species such as sponges and corals. A 2023 study by the Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) warns that metal toxicity and noise pollution from mining equipment may also affect fish behavior, reproduction, and food web dynamics.
The Carlsberg Ridge
The Carlsberg Ridge, a tectonically active segment of the Indian Ocean Ridge, lies between the African, Indian, and Australian plates and extends into the Arabian Sea. Known for its intense geological activity, this region has become increasingly significant due to its high mineral content, particularly polymetallic sulfide and cobalt-rich crusts. In recent years — especially throughout 2024 and 2025 — the Carlsberg Ridge has gained strategic importance as nations intensify their interest in deep-sea mining.
India has emerged as a leading player in this domain, actively pursuing exploration rights in mineral-rich zones of the Carlsberg Ridge. Through its Deep Ocean Mission and collaboration with the International Seabed Authority (ISA), India has secured contracts to explore vast areas of the seabed, aiming to extract critical minerals essential for energy transition and advanced manufacturing. These developments mark a bold shift in regional resource strategy, positioning the Carlsberg Ridge as a focal point of both economic ambition and environmental concern.
Sustainable Deep-Sea Mining in Indian Ocean
To minimize ecological damage, sustainable deep-sea mining in the Indian Ocean must begin with thorough environmental impact assessments that identify sensitive habitats and species. These assessments are considered the cornerstone of responsible mining, yet remain underdeveloped in deep-sea contexts due to limited data and technological challenges.
To minimize sediment disruption, mining systems must incorporate sediment containment technologies that reduce plume spread and prevent smothering of benthic organisms. This device controls the outflow of the sediments and spreads them over a wider area on the sea floor to avoid pollution and let particles settle faster (Zhang, et.al). It also uses several techniques such as dispersing the sediments in multiple jets which helps dilute them and reduce the velocity in which they are released.
Strategies for putting up protection zones like Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are also an option. Other ocean regions, such as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific, have proposed or implemented no-mining areas to protect biodiversity. Similar frameworks could be applied in the Indian Ocean to balance resource use with conservation.
Protected zones where mining is prohibited is definitely needed at the Indian ocean ridges are usually filled with hydrothermal vent activities, abyssal plains, and other regions that recover very slowly due to mining. This is why the Indian Ocean would really benefit from implementing MPAs.
A compelling example of proactive monitoring comes from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean, where both unmanned robotic systems and manned expeditions are deployed to track environmental changes. Technologies such as Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are used to navigate the seabed, collect samples, and observe real-time conditions. These ROVs are mobile in nature and equipped with sensors that measure parameters like turbidity, temperature, and chemical composition.
Data is transmitted via satellite or radar, allowing researchers to monitor mining impacts remotely. Many of these systems are now being enhanced with AI algorithms capable of detecting anomalies, identifying species, and predicting ecological shifts based on pattern recognition.
Implementing similar technologies in the Indian Ocean would not only improve transparency and accountability but also enable adaptive management, where mining operations can be adjusted in real time to minimize harm.
What Citizens Can Do
Individuals play an equally important role as large corporations in mitigating the environmental damage caused by deep-sea mining. Public engagement begins with awareness—staying informed through news, integrating ocean literacy into school curricula, and supporting community-based education initiatives. With greater awareness, individuals can contribute to campaigns that raise funds for the development of advanced undersea technologies aimed at reducing pollution and monitoring mining impacts.
A persistent challenge among major organizations involved in deep-sea mining is a lack of transparency. This can only be addressed if citizens collectively advocate for open access to data on mining contracts, environmental impact assessments, and operational practices. Such public pressure is essential to ensure fair, accountable, and sustainable governance of ocean resources.
Moreover, individuals can make conscious consumer choices by opting for sustainably sourced products and avoiding items that rely on minerals extracted through environmentally harmful deep-sea mining—particularly when those products are non-essential.
Conclusion
The Indian Ocean Ridge faces a critical moment. As deep-sea mining expands, we must act to protect its fragile ecosystems. Sustainable practices like environmental impact assessments, protected zones, and real-time monitoring are essential—but they’re not enough without public engagement. Individuals have the power to demand transparency, support conservation, and choose sustainable products. By staying informed and speaking out, we can hold corporations accountable and influence policy. The path forward is clear: balance innovation with responsibility, and protect the deep not just for today, but for generations to come. The ocean’s future depends on all of us—starting now.
References
- Frontiers | New perspectives in benthic deep-sea microbial ecology
- Hein, J.R., Koschinsky, A. & Kuhn, T. Deep-ocean polymetallic nodules as a resource for critical materials. Nat Rev Earth Environ 1, 158–169 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-020-0027-0
- Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) – mining-impact-science-2023.pdf
- India wants to dig deep into metal-rich Indian Ocean seabed. All about deep-sea mining
- Image courtesy of NOAA, sourced via Wikipedia. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
- Advancing Environmental Impact Assessments for Deep-Sea Mining. → Scenario
- Technology and equipment of deep-sea mining: State of the art and perspectives – ScienceDirect
- About underwater ROV. | LinkedIn
