On 6 February 2013, the International Seabed Authority received an application for approval of a plan of work for exploration for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts in the Area from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation.
The application covers an area which does not exceed 3,000 square kilometres and is located in the Western Pacific Ocean.
In accordance with the Authority’s Regulations on Prospecting and Exploration for Cobalt-rich Ferromanganese Crusts in the Area, the members of the Legal and Technical Commission will be notified of the above application and consideration of the application will be placed on the agenda of the Commission at its next meeting, which is scheduled to commence on 8 July 2013.