The International Seabed Authority reached a milestone in its administration of the mineral resources of the deep seabed Area with the approval of exploration plans for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts by Chinese and Japanese entities as it concluded its nineteenth session a day earlier in Kingston (15-25 July). China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association… Continue reading International Seabed Authority Reaches Milestone; Makes Decisions : 19th Session Round Up

The nineteenth session of the International Seabed Authority ended a day early in Kingston on Thursday 25 July after its Assembly completed debate on the Secretary-General’s annual report and acted on four decisions. The Assembly adopted a draft decision concerning overhead charges for administration and supervision of exploration contracts. It approved amendments to the Regulations… Continue reading International Seabed Authority Concludes Nineteenth Session

The International Seabed Authority received a contribution of US$20,000.00 to its Voluntary Trust Fund from the Government of the People’s Republic of China on 3 July 2013. ISA Secretary-General, Mr. Nii Allotey Odunton, accepted the donation, which was made on behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of China by His Excellency Mr. Zheng… Continue reading China Contributes US$20k To ISA Voluntary Trust Fund

The Council of the ISA, at its final meeting of the 19th Session, this morning recommended the adoption by the Assembly of a draft decision to institute a fixed overhead charge of $47,000 to be payable annually by contractors to cover the administration and supervision of contracts and review of their annual reports by the… Continue reading Seabed Council Completes 2013 Session Agenda

In the wake of renewed interest in potential commercial exploitation for deep seabed minerals, the Council of the International Seabed Authority reviewed a summary Secretariat note from a technical report that provided a framework for polymetallic nodule exploitation in the Area. The Council also reached consensus on its response to a joint venture proposal with… Continue reading ISA Council Considers Secretariat Note On Regulatory Framework For Nodules Exploitation

A new and significant development in the work of the International Seabed Authority was reached in Kingston this morning when the Authority’s Council decided to approve the plans of work for exploration of cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts submitted by two corporations sponsored by China and Japan. Acting on the recommendation of the Legal and Technical Commission,… Continue reading ISA Reaches Milestone With The Approval Of Plans Of Work For Exploration Of Cobalt-Rich Ferromanganese Crusts

The ISA Council today continues discussions on the LTC Report presented by its Chairman, Dr. Russell Howorth. The Commission reported that it had considered six new applications for approval of plans of work for exploration and completed its recommendations in respect of two of them. The applicants are: China Ocean Mineral Resources, Research and Development Association… Continue reading ISA Council Hears Legal And Technical Commission Report On Contractor Activities

During its meeting held 8-12 July in Kingston, the Commission has selected 8 candidates for its Contractor Training Programmes. At its meeting on 8 July 2013, the Commission appointed a subgroup from its membership to carry out an initial review and appraisal of the applications and to report back to the full Commission. In selecting… Continue reading ISA Legal And Technical Commission Select Candidates For Contractor Training Programmes

The International Seabed Authority began its nineteenth session today with the election of its president and the adoption of an extensive agenda which includes consideration and approval of revised regulations on prospecting and exploration for polymetallic nodules. Mr. Vladimir Mikhailovich Polenov (Russian Federation), was elected President of the Authority’s 165-member Assembly for the session. He… Continue reading ISA Assembly Opens 19th Session, Elects President And Adopts Agenda