The International Seabed Authority and Tonga Offshore Mining Limited (TOML) today signed a 15-year contract for exploration for polymetallic nodules in an area covering 74,153 km2 in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean. This marine area beyond the limits of national jurisdiction is one of a number of reserved areas earmarked for developing countries such as the Kingdom of Tonga and was ceded by ISA contractors from Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea and France.

Two applications sponsored by China and the Russian Federation were the first to have been made under the Authority’s regulations on polymetallic sulphides that was adopted in 2010.

29 NOVEMBER 2011, NADI, FIJI — Speaking at the opening of the Workshop on Environmental Management Needs for Exploration and Exploitation of Deep Seabed Minerals, Nii Allotey Odunton, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority told participants that ISA has taken steps to augment the international community’s knowledge base in order to facilitate adequate environmental protection from mining.

The International Seabed Authority and China signed a 15-year contract for prospecting and exploration for polymetallic sulphides located in the Southwest Indian Ridge.

KINGSTON, JAMAICA, 4 October 2011 – The International Seabed Authority in collaboration with the Government of Fiji and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) SOPAC Division is organising an International Workshop on Environmental Management Needs for Exploration and Exploitation of Deep Sea Minerals, to be held at the Sofitel Fiji Resort in Nadi, Fiji Islands from 29 November to 2 December 2011.

The International Seabed Authority and the Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. signed a 15-year contract for prospecting and exploration for polymetallic nodules by the corporation in a specified reserved area of the deep oceans outside the limits of national jurisdiction.

The Assembly of the International Seabed Authority ended its seventeenth session in Kingston today after adopting a series of decisions this morning. The legislative arm of the Authority agreed:

• to a proposal by the Group of 77 and Jamaica to convene a special meeting during the eighteenth session to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the opening for signature( on 10 December 1982 in Montego Bay, Jamaica) of the 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea. The Authority’s Secretary-General was requested to undertake activities in observance of the anniversary.  
• that preparations should start on the formulation of a mining code for exploitation of deep sea minerals in the international seabed Area; and
• to endorse the election of 15 members of the Finance Committee also to serve for five years, from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016.

Acting on recommendations of the Legal and Technical Commission, the Seabed Council yesterday afternoon approved the plans of work for exploration for polymetallic nodules and polymetallic sulphides in the international deep seabed Area submitted by four entities.

The International Seabed Authority began its seventeenth session today with an extensive agenda which includes finalization of a regime for prospecting and exploration for cobalt-rich crusts in the deep seabed Area and action on pending applications for exploratory contracts.