Seabed mining must be ‘commercially viable’ in order to proceed: PM Brown

Prime Minister Mark Brown has acknowledged economic concerns about seabed mining, emphasising that the government will only proceed with projects that are both commercially viable and environmentally sustainable.

Brown was responding to recent cautionary remarks from Australian economist Professor Christopher Flemming regarding the Cook Islands’ plans for seabed mining.

Deep ocean groundings

Journalist Rachel Reeves shares insights and revelations from this week’s Deep Sea Symposium hosted by the Cook Islands Centre For Research (Te Puna Vai Marama).

CI NEWSDede Mingi2 November 2024Deep Sea Syposium, Cook islands, Deep Sea Mining, Environmental Impact, Marine Science, Sustainable Development, Indigenous Knowledge, Polymetallic Nodules, Cultural Heritage, Climate Change, Economic Analysis, Marine Conservation, Scientific Research, Ocean Governance, Community Engagement, Sustainable Practices

Deep Sea symposium probes nodule mining

Around a hundred local and overseas speakers, ocean lovers, local authorities and government ministers turned up to yesterday’s Deep Sea symposium which provides Cook Islands with more knowledge of deep sea mining.

Dede Mingi1 November 2024Deep Sea Mining, Cook Islands, Environmental Impact, Marine Conservation, Polymetallic Nodules, Green Energy Transition, Sustainable Development, Seabed Exploration, Deep Sea Syposium, University of the South Pacific, Te Puna Vai Marama, Te Ipukarea Society, Ocean Research, Seabed m, Seabed Minerals, Climate Change Solutions, Tourism Economy, Future of Mining

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

Robot doesn’t destroy seabed habitat

A foreign company has proposed to bring in a robot to harvest the seabed, write Tailia Mika.

Seabed Science in Action: UMC’s Groundbreaking Trip To Cook Islands Nodule Field

The UMC marked its first-ever field trip to an active nodule field in the South Pacific. Many participants from around the world joined the crew aboard the research vessel Anuanua Moana. The field trip gave a unique opportunity to observe the actual scientific processes involved in deep-sea research, with a particular focus on the polymetallic nodules' environment.

Media ReleaseDede Mingi11 October 2024Seabed Science, Deep Sea Research, Polymetallic Nodules, Cook Islands, Anuanua Moana, Marine Exploration, Community Engagement, Environmental Impact, Research Vessel, UMC Field Trip

Government sees seabed mining as economic game-changer

Cook Islands government has revealed that it sees greater economic potential in seabed mining, which has fuelled concerns from the Opposition.

The deep-sea mining for polymetallic nodules rich in cobalt, copper, nickel and manganese has the potential to transform the country’s earning to “much, much greater levels”, says Prime Minister Mark Brown.

CI NEWSDede Mingi10 October 2024Deep Sea Mining, Economic Potential, Polymetallic Nodules, Green Energy Transition, Cook Island Economy, Tourism Earning, Seabed Minerals, Government Vs Opposition, Environmental Concerns, Nauru Phosphate Mining

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

Cook Islands ‘deepens seabed mining knowledge’ from UMC

Cook Islands is set to gain a deeper understanding of seabed mining through expert discussions and knowledge sharing at the 52nd Underwater Minerals Conference held at the National Auditorium.

According to its technical chair, John C. Wiltshire, the goal of the conference, which has brought about 250 scientists from across the world, is to help Cook Islands gain more knowledge on seabed mining.

The four-day conference that ends tomorrow is the world’s largest gathering of ocean mineral stakeholders.

CI NEWSDede Mingi18 September 2024Seabed Mining, Underwater Minerals Conference, UMC 2024, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Polymetallic Nodules, Marine Research, Seabed Exploration, Deep Sea Resources

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