ISA Contractors
The International Seabed Authority has issued 29 15-years exploration contracts for developing resources from polymetallic nodule fields (17), seafloor massive sulphides (7), and cobalt-rich crusts (5). Seven contracts for polymetallic nodule fields have been extended for an additional 5 years.
All data and photographs taken from the International Seabed Authority.
Polymetallic Nodules
China Minmetals Corporation
Contract Start: May 12, 2017
Contract End: May 11, 2032
Sponsoring State: China
Location: Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone
Cook Islands Investment Corporation
Contract Start: July 15, 2016
Contract End: July 14, 2031
Sponsoring State: Cook Islands
Location: Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone
UK Seabed Resources Ltd
Contract Start: March 29, 2016
Contract End: March 28, 2031
Sponsoring State: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (II)
Ocean Mineral Singapore Pte Ltd.
Contract Start: January 22, 2015
Contract End: January 21, 2030
Sponsoring State: Singapore
Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone
UK Seabed Resources Ltd.
Contract Start: February 8, 2013
Contract End: February 7, 2028
Sponsoring State: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (I)
Global Sea Mineral Resources NV
Contract Start: January 14, 2013
Contract End: January 13, 2028
Sponsoring State: Belgium
Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone
Marawa Research and Exploration Ltd.
Contract Start: January 19, 2015
Contract End: January 18, 2030
Sponsoring State: Kiribati
Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone
Tonga Offshore Mining Limited
Contract Start: January 11, 2012
Contract End: January 10, 2027
Sponsoring State: Tonga
Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone
Nauru Ocean Resources Inc.
Contract Start: July 22, 2011
Contract End: July 21, 2026
Sponsoring State: Nauru
Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone
Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources of Germany
Contract Start: July 19, 2006
Contract End: July 18, 2021
Sponsoring State: Germany
Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone
Government of India
Contract Start: March 25, 2002
Contract End: March 24, 2017
Extension: March 25, 2017
End: March 24, 2022
Sponsoring State: India
Location: Indian Ocean
Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer (IFREMER)
Contract Start: June 20, 2001
Contract End: June 19, 2016
Extension: June 20, 2016
End: June 19, 2021
Sponsoring State: France
Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone
Deep Ocean Resources Development Co. Ltd.
Contract Start: June 20, 2001
Contract End: June 19, 2016
Extension: June 20, 2016
End: June 19, 2021
Sponsoring State: Japan
Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone
China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association
Contract Start: May 22, 2001
Contract End: May 21, 2016
Extension: May 22, 2016
End: May 21, 2021
Sponsoring State: China
Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone
Government of the Republic of Korea
Contract Start: April 27, 2001
Contract End: April 26, 2016
Extension: April 27, 2016
End: April 26, 2021
Sponsoring State: Republic of Korea
Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone
JSC Yuzhmorgeologiya
Contract Start: March 29, 2001
Contract End: March 28, 2016
Extension: March 29, 2016
End: March 28, 2021
Sponsoring State: Russian Federation
Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone
Interoceanmetal Joint Organization
Contract Start: March 29, 2001
Contract End: March 28, 2016
Extension: March 29, 2016
End: March 28, 2021
Sponsoring State: Bulgaria, Cuba, Czech Republic, Poland, Russian Federation and Slovakia
Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone
Seafloor Massive Sulphides
Government of the Republic of Poland
Contract Start: February 12, 2018
Contract End: February 11, 2033
Sponsoring State: Government of the Republic of Poland
Location: Mid Atlantic Ridge
The Government of India
Contract Start: September 26, 2016
Contract End: September 25, 2031
Sponsoring State: India
Location: Central Indian Ocean
Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources of the Federal Republic of Germany
Contract Start: May 6, 2015
Contract End: May 5, 2030
Sponsoring State: Germany
Location: Central Indian Ocean
Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer (IFREMER)
Contract Start: November 18, 2014
Contract End: November 17, 2029
Sponsoring State: France
Location: Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Government of the Republic of Korea
Contract Start: June 24, 2014
Contract End: June 23, 2029
Sponsoring State: Korea
Location: Central Indian Ridge
Government of the Russian Federation
Contract Start: October 29, 2012
Contract End: October 28, 2027
Sponsoring State: Russian Federation
Location: Mid-Atlantic Ridge
China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association
Contract Start: November 18, 2011
Contract End: November 17, 2026
Sponsoring State: China
Location: Southwest Indian Ridge
Cobalt-Rich Crusts
The Republic of Korea
Contract Start: March 27, 2018
Contract End: March 26, 2033
Sponsoring State: Republic of Korea
Location: Western Pacific Ocean
Companhia De Pesquisa de Recursos Minerais
Contract Start: November 9, 2015
Contract End: November 8, 2030
Sponsoring State: Brazil
Location: Rio Grande Rise, South Atlantic Ocean
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation
Contract Start: March 10, 2015
Contract End: March 9, 2030
Sponsoring State: Russian Federation
Location: Magellan Mountains, Pacific Ocean
Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC)
Contract Start: January 27, 2014
Contract End: January 26, 2029
Sponsoring State: Japan
Location: Western Pacific Ocean
China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA)
Contract Start: April 29, 2014
Contract End: April 28, 2029
Sponsoring State: China
Location: Western Pacific Ocean