Aitutaki supports seabed minerals exploration

Last week, a delegation led by Prime Minister Mark Brown visited Aitutaki to carry out consultations on the seabed minerals (SBM) sector. The public expressed generally strong support for the Government’s development of the sector, and the current Exploration Programme underway.

Press ReleaseDede Mingi8 February 2023Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Consultations, Seabed Minerals Exploration, Community Consultations, School Consultations, Prime Minister Mark Brown, Seabed Minerals Commissioner Alex Herman, Bishop Tutai Pere, George George Williamson, CIC Limited (CIC), CIIC Seabed Resources Limited (CIICSR), Moana Minerals Limited (Moana Minerals)

Ocean Biodiscovery: a day with the experts

Marine environmental experts visiting the Cook Islands from the United Kingdom and Fiji gave presentations at an open day hosted at the National Environment Service.

Rima Browne19 January 2023

DEEPEND Workshop Points to Future Deep Sea Environmental Research

Marine environmental experts from the United Kingdom and Fiji were in the Cook Islands as part of the DEEPEND Project. The Seabed Minerals Authority on behalf of the Cook Islands are involved in the project and hosted the experts in Aitutaki for a 2 day workshop.

Rima Browne20 December 2022

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

‘We’re after the same thing’ – PM Brown reacts to NZ’s call for ban on seabed mining

As the New Zealand government moves towards a moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown claims both governments are actually after the same thing. Matthew Littlewood and Caleb Fotheringham report.

CI NEWSDede Mingi3 November 2022Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Ban, Seabed mining, New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, Prime Minister Mark Brown

Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority ‘concerned’ with New Zealand’s call for deep sea mining ban

Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) will not back New Zealand’s call for conditional moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters.

Dede Mingi28 October 2022

Cook Islands reiterates responsible and sustainable SBM development

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (Authority) notes the recent statements made by the New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Nanaia Mahuta, regarding the call for a ‘conditional moratorium on deep sea mining in areas beyond national jurisdiction, until strong environmental rules can be agreed and backed up by robust science’.

Press ReleaseDede Mingi27 October 2022Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, SBM development, Responsible, sustainable

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says his government’s stance on deep sea mining might end up in a ‘different vaka’ to New Zealand.

The issue has proved contentious, with various environmental groups, such as Te Ipukarea Society, calling for a moratorium or outright ban on the practice.

CI NEWSDede Mingi14 October 2022Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Moratorium, Prime Minister Mark Brown, New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, Deep Sea Activities

Stakeholders want tourism and seabed mining included in talks with NZ Minister

Local stakeholders hope tourism, seabed mining and the lack of available flights will be at the forefront of any conversation during New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s visit to the Cook Islands this week.

CI NEWSDede Mingi11 October 2022Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, Cook Islands, Rarotonga

News & Press Releases