‘Playing gods with the cradle of life’: French Polynesia’s president issues warning over deep-sea mining
French Polynesia’s president has issued a stark warning over the risks of deep-sea mining, saying it will be allowed in his territory “over my dead body” as he argues the potential for environmental damage
Financial desperation is driving TMC’s reckless push to bypass International law inbox
The Deep Sea Mining Campaign (DSMC) has condemned The Metals Company’s (TMC) announcement that it will seek deep-sea mining permits through the United States as a cynical, desperate attempt to stay afloat, not a
Pacific must get deep-sea mining decisions right, says Tongan Minister
Tonga’s Minister of Lands, Survey, Planning, and Natural Resources, Dr ‘Uhilamoelangi Fasi, has called for a responsible and collaborative approach to deep-sea mining (DSM), warning that decisions made today
Cook Islands dicusses deep-sea mining research with China
Cook Islands officials discussed seabed minerals research with China during last week’s mission to Beijing. Cook Islands has licensed three companies to explore the seabed for nodules rich in metals such as nickel
New Zealand rethinks opposition to deep-sea mining
New Zealand is considering withdrawing its support for an international ban on deep-sea mining, the country’s resources minister told AFP on Tuesday. Resources Minister Shane Jones said opposition to the fledgling
Cook Islands government accused of misleading public on seabed mining
Cook Islands government is misleading the public into believing the country is undecided on whether to allow deep seabed mining, claims an advocate for ocean conservation and protection. Louisa Castledine’s
Poll: Cook Islanders oppose deep sea mining
A recent online opinion poll conducted in the Cook Islands revealed that 66 per cent of residents oppose deep sea mining, while 49 percent disapprove of exploration. The government regulator overseeing seabed minerals
Outgoing Forum Chair Mark Brown reflects on challenging times
“We’ve been mindful that our region is of great interest from a geopolitical perspective over the last few years or so,” says Prime Minister of Cook Islands Mark Brown. “But the security issues that are seen by
Tuvalu calls for deep sea mining precautionary pause at ISA conference in Jamaica
Tuvalu and other nations have joined the call for a precautionary pause on deep sea mining at the 29th International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly meeting in Kingston, Jamaica. Guatemala and Honduras also backed a
The future of deep sea mining hinges on a contentious election
The Pacific island nation of Kiribati is playing an outsize role in an election that will determine whether companies can begin strip-mining the world’s oceans for critical metals. Bloomberg reports that Leticia
India to apply for licences to scout Pacific Ocean for critical minerals
India will apply for licences to explore for deep-sea minerals in the Pacific Ocean as it competes to secure supplies of minerals critical for energy transition technologies, a top government scientist said. The
Challenging times for regionalism in Rarotonga
Pacific Islands Forum 2023: Every September, the opening of the United Nations General Assembly provides an opportunity for presidents, prime ministers and heads of states to highlight their views on global challenges.
Opinion: Seabed mining rules lapse is window for Pacific regulations
In late July, after weeks of fierce debate at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) meeting in Jamaica, deep-sea mining proponents failed to get an agreement for the immediate licensing of deep sea mining operations.
Moratorium placed on deep sea mining in PNG: PM Marape
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape says a moratorium has been placed on the Nautilus deep sea mining and will continue until scientific evidence proves otherwise. Marape said the Melanesian Spearhead
Palau calls for halt on seabed mining until 2030
Palau President Surangel Whipps Junior said he wanted the seabed mining practice temporarily suspended until at least 2030. “The ocean for us is life. We depend on it for sustenance, we depend on it for our economy
Ocean miner completes controversial Pacific trials
The Canadian miner, the Metals Company, has announced the completion of a controversial deep sea bed mining trial in the Pacific. The trial was approved by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in September much to
Pacific groups welcome call to ban deep sea mining
The Pacific Blue Line collective has welcomed the call by France for a ban on deep sea mining, a call that Pacific civil society groups and movements have been pushing for since 2012. French President Emmanuel Macron
Small island, big ocean: Niue makes its entire EEZ a marine park
When Niueans are babies, their parents traditionally take them down to the seashore and throw them in the water so they learn to swim, Mona Ainu’u told Mongabay. That’s more important in Niue than most places. The
Deep Sea Mining pilot gets go ahead
Piloting of deep sea mining by the Metals Company has been given the green light by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). This follows the ISA’s review of an environmental impact statement (EIS) and environmental
Cook Islands: “Uphold the decision making process of our Forum leaders”
The Cook Islands representative to the Pacific Islands Forum, Tepaeru Herrmann says they respect Kiribati’s decision to withdraw from the Forum, but that upholding the decision to appoint former Henry Puna to the
MPs seek regional dialogue on deep sea mining
A new alliance of parliamentarians from across the Pacific has called for a regional dialogue on the potential impacts of deep sea mining. The public launch of the Pacific Parliamentarians’ Alliance on Deep Sea Mining
FSM files continental shelf claim
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has filed with the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf a claim of an extended continental shelf covering a high-sea area of approximately 188,000
Nauru determined to back Deep Sea Mining
With the COVID-19 Pandemic maintaining its crippling grip on the Pacific, legislators have struggled to find alternative sources of income to buoy national economies. On the rocky outcrop of Nauru in the Central
