You can read all the latest news and updates on the Cook Islands seabed minerals sector here.
The Cook Islands Government, led by Prime Minister Honourable Mark Brown, recently completed a week-long series of consultations with Cook Islands communities across New Zealand. The delegation visited Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Tokoroa, sharing updates on the development of the Seabed Minerals (SBM) sector and fostering meaningful dialogue with the Cook Islands diaspora.
Read MoreThe Cook Islands Government, led by Prime Minister Honourable Mark Brown, is set to engage with Cook Islands communities across New Zealand from November 18 to 22 in a week-long Diaspora Consultation. These consultations, organised by the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Cook Islands New Zealand High Commission, with the aim to update the diaspora on important national developments, including progress in the seabed minerals sector and the Cook Islands’ upcoming 60th anniversary of self-governance in 2025.
Read MoreRepresentatives from the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) recently attended the AELERT – INECE 2024 Global Summit on Implementing and Enforcing Environmental Law in Brisbane, Australia, from November 6th - 8th. This summit convened leaders and experts from various regulatory fields to discuss advancements in law enforcement and compliance practices.
Read MoreWe 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.
Read MoreAround 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.
Read MoreLife is everywhere. It is found in rocks deep beneath the surface of the earth, in a lake buried under the ice in Antarctica, and even in ponds of liquid tar-asphalt. So, although the physical environment-in the 5,000 m deep ocean floor is challenging, numerous species of organisms call it home.
Read MoreCook 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.
Read MoreAfter four years of development and two rounds of public consultations, the Seabed Minerals (Minerals Harvesting and Other Mining) Regulations 2024 (MH Regulations) have now been passed.
The adoption of these regulations is a crucial step in establishing a comprehensive legal framework, providing all stakeholders with clarity and certainty regarding the Cook Islands' legal regime for seabed minerals governance, and are administered by the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA).
Read MoreThe Cook Islands recently hosted the 52nd Underwater Minerals Conference (UMC) from 15 to 21 September 2024, marking the first time this prestigious event took place in a small island state. Organised by the International Marine Minerals Society (IMMS) in partnership with the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, the conference was held at the Cook Islands National Auditorium, attracting experts, researchers, and industry leaders from around the world.
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