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# [SEYCHELLES / MAURITIUS] Historic Seismic Survey Covers 396,000 km² of the Mascarene Plateau
- URL: https://businessoi.media/en/seychelles-maurice-hydrocarbures-et-mineraux-sous-marins-un-releve-sismique-historique-sur-396-000-km2-du-plateau-mascarene-en/
- Published: 2026-08-28T02:53:44.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-28T02:53:44.000Z
- Description: Mauritius and the Seychelles approve a seismic survey across 396,000 km² of the Mascarene Plateau with Viridien, mapping hydrocarbon and critical mineral potential across their jointly managed seabed.
- Author: Emmanuel TAOCHY
- Tags: Seychelles, Maurice, Investissement, Économie, Revue matinale, #en

Mauritius and the Seychelles have jointly approved a seismic survey covering 396,000 km² of seabed on the Mascarene Plateau. The operation, entrusted to French geoscience firm Viridien, aims to map the potential for hydrocarbons and critical minerals within their Joint Management Area — a potentially historic shift for two island economies that have built their prosperity on services and tourism.

## A Shared Strategic Zone

The Joint Management Area (JMA) covers the seabed jointly managed by Mauritius and the Seychelles on the Mascarene Plateau, spanning portions of both countries' exclusive economic zones. The two governments took a decisive step in August 2026, with the Seychelles Cabinet approving the campaign early in the week, followed closely by the Mauritius Council of Ministers.

The selected partner, Viridien — formerly Compagnie Générale de Géophysique Services (CGG) — ranks among the world's foremost marine geoscience firms. Its mandate is not to extract resources, but to produce a detailed geological and geophysical dataset for energy and mining companies that may consider future exploration.

## Data Collection, Not Extraction

The Seychelles Vice-President was quick to clarify the scope: this seismic survey does not entail immediate resource extraction, which remains subject to separate legal and regulatory processes. The immediate goal is to equip both states with a reliable information base to attract investors under transparent and sovereign terms.

For Mauritius, the decision fits within a broader blue economy strategy: the country's EEZ spans 2.2 million km², part of which is jointly managed with the Seychelles. In the long run, responsible exploitation of seabed resources could fundamentally reshape the economic landscape of the region.

## Why It Matters

The Indian Ocean's seabed remains largely unexplored. If the survey confirms viable hydrocarbon or critical mineral deposits — the latter being central to the global energy transition — Mauritius and the Seychelles could diversify their revenues well beyond tourism and financial services. For two small island states facing climate pressure and economic mono-dependency, the stakes are high. This decision also sends a clear signal to global investors: the Indian Ocean is open for responsible resource exploration.