Throughout the 26th Session of the International Seabed Authority, during both the council meeting and via media interviews, deep-sea mining contractors have begun to talk about “the trigger”. The trigger is a protocol within UNCLOS which would allow sponsoring states to jumpstart the deep-sea mining process, placing a ticking clock on the development of the […]
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Zoe Tabary for Thomson Reuters Foundation | 4 December 2018 LONDON, Dec 4 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Ransom-hungry pirates, polar explorers, offshore oil giants – the race for the riches of the world’s final frontier is on. From Thailand to Alaska, the battle to tap ever-dwindling resources from minerals to fish is spurring new conflicts over […]
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LYMINGTON, United Kingdom–On 1 March 2018, Mr. Kent Bressie becomes the new International Cable Law Adviser (ICLA) for the prominent organisation, International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC). Kent replaces Doug Burnett who left the role in late 2017 to accept a U.S. Government appointment. In his role, Kent will work with the ICPC’s Executive Committee, Secretariat, […]
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JENCY SAMUEL on MONGABAY | 9 February 2018 Mining of polymetallic nodules present in the seabed in the Central Indian Ocean Basin can help India improve availability of nickel, copper, cobalt and manganese. Through an agreement with the International Seabed Authority, India has a right to explore and mine polymetallic nodules over 750,000 square km. […]
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TODD WOODY on OCEANS DEEPLY | 1 February 2018 As the International Seabed Authority (ISA) drafts regulations to govern the mining of the ocean for valuable minerals, the European Parliament has called for a ban on seabed mining until the environmental impacts and risks of disturbing unique deep-sea ecosystems are understood. In a resolution, the […]
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ELAINE MASLIN on OFFSHORE ENGINEER | 1 October 2017 “Many are looking to a new resource, deep sea minerals, thanks to growth in demand from emerging economies and the development of new technologies that require increased supply of metals such as copper. While interest in mining metals from the deeps has been ongoing since the […]
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On Friday, July 21st, a U.N Preparatory Committee on high seas biodiversity agreed on a recommendation to the U.N. General Assembly to advance an Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) to negotiate a potential Open Ocean Treaty for the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems beyond national jurisdiction. Unlike the seabed beyond national jurisdiction, which has had a legal […]
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As the International Seabed Authority (ISA) gets ready to begin its 23rd Annual Meeting this August in Kingston, it’s a noteworthy reflection point to consider the progressing state of the “Mining Code”. “Mining Code” is the term used by the ISA to describe the entire body of rules, regulations and procedures that will regulate prospecting, […]
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The development of Financial Regulations to address the benefit sharing aspects of the Mining Code has recently moved to the forefront of ISA business. Per International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly agreement, the whole of the Mining Code cannot go into force without a financial regime in place. In short, this means mining operations cannot begin […]
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WORLD OCEAN COUNCIL | 22 June 2017. The 4th (and final) U.N. meeting to negotiate a new legally binding instrument to expand the Law of the Sea to regulate the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) will take place on 10-21 July. The World Ocean Council (WOC) has […]
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