We are committed to sustainably and responsibly developing our seabed minerals (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 minerals harvesting to occur must be science based.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi2 November 2024Seabed Minerals, Cook Islands, Sustainable Development, Ocean Conservation, Marine Protection, Environmental Stewardship, Clean Energy, Marae Moana, Responsible Mining, Exploration, Deep Sea Research, Future Generations, Economic Diversification, Science Based, Community Engagement, Knowledge Advancement, SBM

Tanga Morris Explores the Depths: Return from 2024 SMARTEX Expedition

SMARTEX (Seabed Mining and Resilience to Experiment Impact) aims to provide the critical scientific understanding and evidence-base to reduce risks of deep-sea mining of polymetallic nodules in the central Northeast Pacific Ocean. The project aims to better understand the ecosystem in the Pacific abyss and how the different components interact and interconnects.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi1 April 2024#OceanState #PacificProud #DeepSeaExploration #SMARTEXexpedition #CookIslandsScience #SeabedMining #PacificVoyagers #OceanStewardship #ScientificExploration #CapacityBuilding #MarineConservation #SustainableUse #DeepSeaResearch #ScienceAtSea #KnowledgeSharing #OceanScience #PacificIdentity #CookIslandsPride, Ocean Floor, SMARTEX 2024, Research, Exploration, Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCZ), Indian Ocean, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Knowledge Management Officer

Parliament approve improvements to the Seabed Minerals Act

Parliament unanimously approved the Seabed Minerals Amendment Bill 2024 yesterday.

The purpose of the amendments were to improve the overall seabed minerals regime. This included making the intent of some sections clearer, as well as changes to enable the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) to fulfil its functions more effectively.

Letter to the Editor: ‘Barking up the wrong tree’

Dear Editor, very lately and surprisingly our news media has been bombarded with a stronger and incorporate voice calling for a moratorium against any seabed mining.

CI NEWSDede Mingi20 December 2022Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, Rarotonga, Cook Islands News, Letter to the Editor, Polymetallic Nodules, Deep Sea Activities, Deep sea research, Exploration

SBMA prepares inspectors for exploration expeditions

Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority’s (SBMA) held a sea survival training course this week to prepare their inspectors before sending them on exploration vessels as part of its monitoring and compliance programme.

CI NEWSDede Mingi16 September 2022Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Exploration, Sea survival training, Monitoring, Compliance, National Environment Services, Ministry of Transport

Feedback on seabed mineral regulations extended

The opportunity to submit feedback on the draft seabed mineral mining regulations has been extended for another month.

CI NEWSDede Mingi13 January 2021Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, Rarotonga, Draft Seabed Mineral Mining Regulations, Deep sea research, Exploration, Polymetallic Nodules, CISBMA, stakeholders, regulations, guidelines, processes, SBM Activities

Cook Islands Opens Seabed Minerals Exploration

Companies interested in conducting seabed minerals exploration work in Cook Islands have until December to put in their Expressions of Interest.

InternationalDede Mingi28 October 2020Prime Minister Mark Brown, Seabed Minister Mark Brown, Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Deep sea research, Exploration

Licensing process for seabed exploration

Members of the public are invited to attend the launch of the Seabed Minerals Authority licensing process for exploration research in Cook Islands’ waters on Thursday morning.

CI NEWSDede Mingi20 October 2020Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Seabed Minerals Authority, SBMA, CISBMA, Exploration Licensing Launch, Licensing process, Exploration, Research, Launch Event, Announcement

Cooks should be free to explore – Seabed Minerals Authority

“The gathering of scientific data and information will help improve our understanding of the biodiversity of the deep sea ecosystems and functions, and assist decision-makers in identifying the best measures to safeguard the marine environment.”

Rima Browne9 June 2020moratorium, Exploration, seabed minerals, Alex Herman

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