More deep-sea research in Cook Island waters

More deep sea research is to be undertaken in Cook Island waters before the end of the 2019 year. Another company, Ocean Minerals Ltd (OML) who have reserved areas in the CI EEZ will be conducting similar research to that undertaken earlier this year. In addition OML will also collect biological samples from the sediment as well as conductivity, temperature and depth data. Cook Islanders will again be heavily involved in this upcoming research survey.

Deep Sea Mining from a Pacific Island State Perspective: An Interview with Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Commissioner Paul Lynch

Since August 2012, Paul Lynch has led the Cook Islands’ Seabed Minerals Authority, which oversees development of the islands’ national seabed mineral resource. A lawyer with over 25 years of wide and varied legal experience in the private sector, Commissioner Lynch is shaping deep sea mining as an industry, both in the Cook Islands and […]

Lack of environmental safeguards highlighted in Cooks legislation

“The Pacific Network on Globalisation says claims environmental costs would stop seabed mining in the Cook Islands would be thwarted by a lack of safeguards in the country’s laws. PANG co-ordinator Maureen Penjueli says the Cooks’ Seabed Minerals Act dates back to 2009 when deep-sea mining was believed to be low risk, high return. She said in 2017 the risks to the environment were still little understood.”

Environmental cost will likely stop Cooks’ seabed mining

“The Cook Islands’ Seabed Minerals Authority Commissioner Paul Lynch said the country’s Seabed Minerals Act ensured a careful, steady approach to any potential exploration or mining.

He said the act was the world’s first, dedicated national legislation to control seabed minerals activities.

Mr Lynch said criticism, based on objections to seabed mineral prospecting in other countries, is superficial and close-minded.”

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