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India will apply for licences to explore for deep-sea minerals in the Pacific Ocean

The UN-backed International Seabed Authority (ISA) has issued 31 deep-sea exploration licences, including two for India in the Indian Ocean, but is yet to allow mining because the 36-member body is still working on regulations.

China, Russia, and some Pacific Island nations have already secured exploration licences for the Pacific Ocean.

Opponents of deep-sea mining say that not enough is known about its impact on marine ecosystems.

Some 27 countries have called for a moratorium or suspension of all ocean mining-related activities,

The permits last for 15 years, according to the ISA website.