The Union Government of India’s ambitious push into offshore mining has set the stage for a mounting confrontation with coastal communities. While the Centre touts benefits such as industrial growth, employment, and energy security in its strategic leap towards mineral self-sufficiency, Kerala’s fishing communities see the initiative as a direct threat to their livelihoods and marine ecosystems.
The conflict began last November, when the first-ever e-auction of offshore mineral blocks was launched, including three off the Kerala coast.
The fishing community around the area, whose lives are directly threatened by the project, are gearing up for a fight, with a planned protest set for Friday, 31 January. With tensions rising and protests gaining momentum, the waters off Kerala’s coast are set to become a battleground – both for resources and rights.
Offshore mining involves extraction of mineral deposits from the seabed at depths exceeding 200 metres. Though the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002 (OAMDR Act) came into force in 2010, no mining activity had been undertaken in offshore areas until now.
To accelerate exploration and production, the government introduced the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023, which brought several key reforms to the sector.
The amended Act categorises offshore mining into reconnaissance (preliminary surveys), exploration (detailed assessment), and production (commercial extraction).
Under the new framework, offshore mineral blocks will be auctioned exclusively to private players through competitive bidding, with production leases and composite licences being granted.
The composite licence, a newly introduced provision, allows for both exploration and production.
However, for atomic minerals, operational rights will remain restricted to Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
The production lease period has been fixed at 50 years, aligning with the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act.
On 28 November 2024, the very first e-auction was conducted for 13 mineral blocks spread across the Arabian Sea and Andaman Sea, containing vital resources such as construction sand, lime mud, and polymetallic nodules and crusts.
The Union Government, which identified 600,000 sq. km of offshore area with mining potential, says that these minerals are critical for infrastructure development, high-tech manufacturing, and the green energy transition.
According to the Geological Survey of India (GSI), India’s offshore resources include:
The first tranche of blocks for auction includes:
Officials assert that the best blocks have been carefully selected to ensure sustainable mining while reducing India’s reliance on mineral imports.
Speaking at an event in Kochi on 11 January, marking the launch of the e-auction, VL Kantha Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, emphasised India’s ambition to become a global leader in offshore mining.
“With abundant resources in our Exclusive Economic Zone, this initiative will not only meet domestic demand but also position India as a major player in the international mining industry,” he stated.
Meanwhile, APM Mohammed Hanish, Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Government of Kerala, highlighted the strategic importance of Kerala in the offshore mining sector.
He pointed out the state’s vast construction sand deposits and reaffirmed Kerala’s commitment to investor-friendly and sustainable mining practices.
The event in Kochi also served as a crucial platform for discussions among stakeholders from the mining, construction, and infrastructure sectors.
Industry representatives expressed keen interest, particularly in the three offshore blocks off Kerala, which are expected to significantly boost the state’s construction and infrastructure industries.
However, the move to allow offshore mineral mining off the Kerala coast has triggered strong opposition from the fishing community, which fears severe consequences for their livelihood and the marine ecosystem.
Fisher groups and organisations have warned of widespread protests if the government proceeds with the project without consultations or scientific studies.
They have raised concerns over the potential damage to Kollam Parappu, popularly known as Quilon Bank, a major deep-sea fishing hub between Kollam and Alappuzha.
This region has been one of the richest fishing grounds on the southwest coast of India for over four decades, known for its abundant deep-sea shrimp and lobster resources as well as export-oriented squid varieties, sardine, mackerel, and others.
Jackson Polayil, state president of the Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation, emphasised that this region is teeming with commercially valuable seafood and there is a huge economic importance of Quilon Bank in the nation’s as well as the state’s economy.
“We are of the fear that offshore mining will not only disrupt fish breeding and migration patterns but also lead to a drastic decline in fish stocks, pushing many coastal villages into economic distress.
“Fisherfolk from Sakthikulangara, Neendakara, Chavara, Thrikkadavoor, Thrikkaruva, Eravipuram, and Paravur will get severely affected as the mining will impact their livelihood and drive them into poverty,” said Jackson to South First.
Earlier, the Kerala Region Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC) had joined several fishers’ unions in demanding the withdrawal of the mining project, arguing that it will destroy the coastal ecosystem and eliminate traditional fishing opportunities.
KRLCC alleged that the Centre, through an amendment in 2003, took away the rights of the state to manage its coastal resources, paving the way for privatisation in favour of corporate interests.
The Kerala Matsya Thozhilali Aikya Vedhi has also warned that fishers will be forced to take to the streets in large numbers if the project is not scrapped.
The organisation had already staged a protest outside a venue in Kochi earlier this month, highlighting their grievances.
As per the Centre’s timeline, companies interested in the mining project were required to submit expressions of interest by February 18, with the tender process expected to be completed by February 27.
However, fishers argue that the decision to proceed with the project was taken without any scientific assessment or discussions with stakeholders.
“The move violates the rights of traditional fishers engaged in capture fisheries and promotes the privatisation of resources,” said Jackson Polayil. “If the government does not withdraw this decision, the entire fishing community in Kerala will unite in strong protests.”
He then stated, “As a powerful warning shot, around 100 fishing boats will take to the waters in a dramatic protest at Quilon Bank on January 31. Simultaneously, key fishing organisations will gather in Alappuzha to chart the next course of action.”