Ministry of Mines invites bids for two Andaman Sea offshore mineral blocks covering 1,632 square km
13 October 2026
The Ministry of Mines issued a Notice Inviting Tender dated 1 October 2026 for two offshore blocks in the Andaman Sea, Sewell Rise-01 and West Sewell Ridge-01.
Sewell Rise-01 covers 632 square kilometres and West Sewell Ridge-01 covers 1,000 square kilometres, a total of 1,632 square kilometres.
Both blocks contain polymetallic nodules and crusts, which hold minerals such as nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese.
The blocks are offered for a Composite Licence under the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, as amended in 2023.
The pre-bid conference is on 4 November 2026 and the last date for submission of bids is 28 December 2026.
The Ministry briefed prospective bidders at an outreach programme in New Delhi on 13 October 2026.
In plain words
Polymetallic nodules Lumps of metal-rich rock lying on the seabed — Nodules formed from several metals such as nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese, found on the seabed.
Composite Licence Single licence covering exploration and production — A licence under which a bidder can explore a block and then mine it if minerals are found.
NIT Notice Inviting Tender — The official notice that opens a tender and sets its conditions.