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what is currently happening on land.” to the seafloor of any part of the ocean that has been done
On the reliability of the science, the company has engaged before.”
over 20 different institutions and scientists which design TMC maintains that the science they’ve supported is strong
studies in compliance and in alignment with regulatory and accessible.
regimes. “All the data that is collected, all the environmental data
“They have collected the data as well, and then they is provided to the ISA. They collate it and they place it on a
interpret and provide us reports on that data,” McLachlan publicly accessible databank called DeepData.”
said. And what happens if science can prove that deep-sea
“They can publish that information in scientific journals mining is dangerous?
that are peer reviewed. “If the science comes back and says you can’t do this in a
“We believe very strongly that the work program that we responsible, sustainable way, then again, we will look for a
have done is robust. We believe, in fact, what we are told different business to go into.”
is that it is the most comprehensive study from the surface

TICKET TO RICHES

CLOCK TICKS ON SEA MINING

By Aisha Azeemah that Nauru Ocean Resource Inc (NORI) had been diligently
preparing its application for a Plan of Work for Exploitation.
Will riches on the ocean floor change the Pacific region’s That application will be submitted to the authority on June
destiny? 27 for approval.
Valuable metals like manganese, copper, and nickel, NORI is a subsidiary of The Metals Company, which has
perhaps even large gold deposits, are all ripe for the taking, positioned itself as a global leader in deep-sea mining and
and the machinery to extract this treasure trove sits on the mineral extraction.
ocean, waiting for the green light from legislators. But ISA’s exploitation regulations have not been finalised
While Nauru is among the nations that view deep-sea and adopted after two years of work.
mining as a potential economic opportunity, other countries A separate development has also attracted attention.
are more cautious. As of March 2025, there are 32 countries The Metals Company (TMC) has made attempts to secure US
worldwide in support of a moratorium, precautionary pause, approvals for deep-sea mining, noting that the United States
or complete prohibition of deep-sea mining. is not a party to the ISA or United Nations Convention on
Efforts toward regional coordination continue. On April the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and therefore not bound by its
10, the Ocean Ministers Preparatory Meeting Toward the UN regulations, or lack of rules.
Ocean Conference was held in Suva. “The United States has a regulatory regime that has been
Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa— in place since the 1980s,” TMC Head of Stakeholder Relations
former President of Nauru—said: “Let us ensure that our Corey McLachlan told Islands Business.
messaging for the UN Ocean Conference is grounded in “We believe, unlike the ISA regulatory regime, it is
solidarity, inclusion and the Pacific way, embracing traditional complete. It is a transparent process. It is an established
knowledge alongside science, and lifting up the voices of process. So we don’t see any ethical concerns with that at the
women, youth, and communities often unheard. moment.
“As we look ahead to the UN Ocean Conference and “We currently maintain both of the two ISA contracts that
beyond, to the fourth International Conference on Financing are sponsored by Nauru and Tonga. Both of those contracts
for Development and COP30, this meeting should consider remain in existence today. And so, nothing has changed with
how the Pacific positions itself, not just as a region at the regards to both of those.’’
front line of ocean challenges, but as a leader in solutions.” All stakeholders now await the upcoming UN Ocean
Nauru intends to move forward with submitting its Plan Conference in Nice, France.
of Work for Exploitation under a two-year rule, urging Will the first cut into the seabed mark a historic leap
the International Seabed Authority to finalise exploitation forward for Pacific nations, or a disastrous mistake for the
regulations by 2023. future of the region and the world?
In a letter on November 12, 2024, Nauru’s Permanent The Pacific may soon find out.
Representative to ISA, David Aingimea, notified the Authority

Islands Business May 2025 33