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Minerals Report - International Seabed Authority

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up, to identify these resources and determine their location. The participant<br />

said that he had been informed that the purpose of exploration, that followed<br />

the discovery of and determination of the location of this resource is to<br />

identify, study, and determine whether the resources are commercially<br />

exploitable. This participant asked whether this advice is reliable.<br />

Another participant, recalling Mr. Wanjik’s comment about<br />

exploration and scientific research, said that there is more than one reason to<br />

study the grade and tonnage of mineral deposits. This participant said that<br />

scientists are interested in the geo-chemical balance of the oceans, so it is<br />

important to study the quantity of minerals and the deposits and what they<br />

are composed of, without having necessarily any economic interest<br />

whatsoever.<br />

Another participant made the observation that although scientific<br />

research can be done under exploration, if a researcher proposes generating<br />

scientific information on resources to be found in the marine environment in<br />

the common interest of mankind that is scientific research. This participant<br />

said that the moment a conversion component is introduced, then the activity<br />

transforms to exploration.<br />

Responding to these questions, Mr. Wanjik stated that from the<br />

regulatory point of view, in terms of activity, the distinction is not a problem.<br />

As an example, he said that although drilling is considered an exploration<br />

activity, drilling is also undertaken by marine scientific researchers. He<br />

therefore asked where the distinction should be made.<br />

A participant made the point that exploration comprises the activities<br />

under an exploration license and marine scientific research comprises the<br />

activities undertaken with a permit for scientific research. This participant<br />

therefore said that with exclusive rights under an exploration license the two<br />

activities could co-exist.<br />

Mr. Wanjik concluded the session noting that under the draft Offshore<br />

Mining Policy, marine scientific research is encouraged. Where interest in<br />

developing marine mineral resources is generated, the Prospector’s Rights<br />

and Exploration License tenements are then available.<br />

INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY 375

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