Japan Oil, Gas And Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) And ISA Sign Exploration Contract

The International Seabed Authority and JOGMEC of Japan signed a 15-year contract for prospecting and exploration for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts in Tokyo on 27‎ January 2014.‎
 
The contract was signed by the Secretary-General of the Authority, Nii Allotey Odunton and the President of JOGMEC, Hirobumi Kawano in the presence of State Minister Midori Matsushima of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The Cook Islands Applies For Approval Of Plan Of Work For Exploration For Polymetallic Nodules

On 27 December 2013, the Cook Islands Investment Corporation (CIIC), which is a Cook Islands state enterprise, submitted an application for approval of a plan of work for exploration for polymetallic nodules in a reserved area. The application is sponsored by the Government of the Cook Islands, The area under application is the reserved area portion of the G-TEC Sea Mineral Resources NV claim area in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone of the Pacific Ocean approved in July 2012.

New Seamount Benthos Study Available Online

An ISA-funded workshop held in Vancouver in May 2011 has resulted in a study titled Seamount benthos in a cobalt-rich crust region of the central Pacific: conservation challenges for future seabed mining.

Ambassador Of Cuba Presents Credentials To ISA Secretary-General

His Excellency, Mr. Bernardo Guanche Hernández, the new Ambassador of Cuba to Jamaica presented his credentials to the Secretary-General of the Authority as the new Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cuba to the International Seabed Authority on Thursday, 7 November 2013.