Seabed mining exploration to continue for years following findings

Cook Islands Government through the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has revealed that the exploration of deep sea mining will continue for a few more years giving time for findings to be analysed and this will take months and years.

Dede Mingi31 October 2024Seabed Mining, Cook Islands, Deep Sea Exploration, Sustainable Development, Marine Science, Polymetallic Nodules, Environmental Research, Women In Science, WISE Expedition, Scientific Data, Future Generations, SBMA Initiative

Licensee anticipates delay in seabed exploration research

Delays in the seabed minerals exploration and research are expected due to opposition and the efficiency of the regulatory system, says one of the three deep sea mining companies exploring the Cook Islands seabed.

CI NEWSDede Mingi2 October 2024Seabed Mining, Deep Sea Exploration, Polymetallic Nodules, Cook Islands, Moana Minerals, Environmental Impact, Cobalt Mining, Marine Research, Regulatory Frameworks, Sustainable Development, Seabed Resources, Exploration Licences, Marine Conservation, Deep Sea Technology, Ocean Governance

Seabed Minerals Exploration Programme Updates

We are committed to sustainably and responsibly developing our SBM sector for the benefit of our Cook Islands people. In line with the precautionary approach, any future decision on whether or not we will allow harvesting to occur needs to be science based.

To achieve this, we need more data and information about the nature of our mineral resource and the marine environment so that we can better understand and address the potential environmental impacts and likely commercial viability. This understanding can only be obtained through exploration research work, which is why the Seabed Minerals Exploration Programme is important.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi18 September 2024Seabed Minerals, Exploration Programme, Cook Islands, Sustainable Development, Environmental Protection, Mana Tiaki, Marae Moana, Knowledge Advancement, Clean Energy Transition, Deep Sea Exploration, CSD, Precautionary Approach

SBMA Release: Pacific Leaders Agree to Greater Regional Dialogue and Cooperation on Deep Sea Minerals

The 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting hosted by the Cook Islands concluded last week. Milestones included the endorsements of the 2050 Strategy Implementation Plan, the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) and the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility.

Opinion: Keeping Cook Islands' interest at its core in seabed minerals issues

This week was a historic milestone for the Seabed Minerals Authority (Authority). We announced the three seabed minerals companies that met the qualification criteria in the Act, and would be proceeding to the next stage of the exploration licensing process.

CI NEWSDede Mingi13 November 2021Seabed Minerals Authority, Seabed Minerals Commissioner, Alex Herman, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Seabed Minerals, Issues, Opinion, Deep Sea Exploration, Research, Cook Islands waters, Due Diligence, decision making, Marae Moana

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