❖ 10 blocks located in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are available for auction for grant of composite license.

❖ Of these, 7 blocks of poly-metallic nodules and crusts are located in Andaman Sea, 3 blocks of lime-mud are located off the Gujarat coast.

❖ The auctions will be conducted under the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act (OAMDR), 2002.