Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Operating Right Rules 2025

• 21 Jul 2025

Source: BS 

The Government of India has notified the Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Operating Right Rules, 2025 under the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, introducing strict regulations for the exploration and mining of atomic minerals like uranium and thorium in offshore areas. 

• 2025 Rules: Only government entities and private firms nominated by the Centre are allowed to explore or mine atomic minerals offshore.  
  • Foreign entities or contractors require prior government approval for any involvement in offshore atomic mineral operations. 
  • Licensing is limited to CPSEs or Centre-nominated agencies for areas within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). 
  • The 2025 rules apply only when uranium or thorium concentrations exceed a minimum "threshold value" in the offshore region. If below the threshold, the Offshore Areas Operating Right Rules, 2024 will apply instead. 
  • Environmental and marine restoration is mandatory post-exploration, with rehabilitation of affected seabeds required within six months. 
• Atomic Minerals: Atomic minerals like uranium and thorium are used in nuclear energy production. India has limited uranium but abundant thorium, mainly found in monazite sands along coastal states. Kerala and Odisha have rich beach sand reserves, with monazite containing 8–10% thorium. 
  • Jaduguda, Jharkhand is the first mine in the country to produce uranium ore on a commercial scale. 

Read more:  Strengthening India's Mineral Exploration Sector