The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an autonomous intergovernmental organization established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
 
Headquarter- Kingston, Jamaica
Members - 170, including 169 states and the European Union
 
Why in news?
New deep sea mining rules lack consensus
 
The primary points of contention include:
 

• A coalition of countries led by Chile and supported by about 37 other nations is pushing for a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining until scientific understanding of environmental impacts improves.
• Consensus eludes issues such as financial mechanisms, benefit-sharing, and the adequacy of environmental safeguards.
• Several states and industry actors are eager to commence commercial mining quickly to secure critical minerals essential for technologies like electric vehicles and renewable energy, while others advocate for more cautious, science-based approaches.
• The United States, not being a party to UNCLOS or ISA, has issued directives to fast-track seabed mining permits under a 1980 US law, circumventing ISA's framework. This has led to companies like The Metals Company applying directly for US permits, prompting ISA investigations.
• The ISA’s 30th session in July 2025 did not result in adoption of the Mining Code or a moratorium. The session also saw procedural disputes over rushed timelines and limits on participation by smaller delegations and civil society observers.
• Environmental groups and independent scientists warn that proceeding with deep-sea mining without robust protections risks irreversible damage to fragile ocean ecosystems.

 
 
ISA’s key functions include:
 

• Regulating deep-sea mining and exploration activities in the international seabed area by issuing licenses and contracts to private and state entities.
• Ensuring equitable sharing of financial and economic benefits derived from seabed mineral activities, especially considering developing countries and disadvantaged states.
• Protecting the marine environment by adopting rules, regulations, and procedures to prevent, reduce, and control pollution and harmful impacts from deep-sea mining.
• Promoting marine scientific research and capacity-building related to seabed resources.
• Developing a legal framework and the Mining Code for responsible and sustainable mining activities.

 
Governance of the ISA comprises:
 

• An Assembly consisting of all members, which is the supreme authority for setting policies and budgets.
• A Council of 36 elected members serving as the executive authority approving contracts and overseeing implementation.
• A Secretary-General, nominated by the Council and elected by the Assembly, serving a four-year term.

 
 
Key points about ISA in the Indian context:
 

• India has been a member of the ISA since 1995 as a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• India currently holds two active exploration contracts with ISA for the international seabed area in the Indian Ocean:
• Exploration of polymetallic nodules in the Central Indian Ocean Basin, with a contract signed in 2002 and extended until 2027.
• Exploration of polymetallic sulphides along the Indian Ocean Ridge (Carlsberg Ridge), with a contract signed in 2016 valid until 2031.
• India holds exploration rights for about 75,000 square kilometers in the Central Indian Ocean, an area allocated by ISA for exploratory mining.
• Indian research institutions like the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) and the Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT) are actively working on environment friendly and efficient technologies for mining and processing polymetallic nodules and other seabed minerals.

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