Minerals Report - International Seabed Authority

12. Issues to be taken into account in developing a framework for the
exploitation of seafloor massive sulphides and cobalt-rich
ferromanganese crusts of the Area
The International Seabed Authority has adopted rules, regulations and
procedures for exploring for one type of marine mineral resource since its
establishment. This marine mineral resource is deep seabed polymetallic
nodules. The request to formulate rules, regulations and procedures for two
other types of marine minerals (seafloor massive sulphides and cobalt-rich
ferromanganese crusts) was the reason for convening this workshop.
Information on the characteristics of these mineral deposits, in particular
information relating to the applicability of the system of exploration that had
been developed for deep seabed polymetallic nodules to these other types of
mineral resources was a pressing concern of the Authority.
The Secretary General of the Authority, Mr. Nandan initiated
discussions on this subject, by inter alia, providing participants with the
historical background to the system of exploration for polymetallic nodules
and led discussions on the applicability of this system to a system of
exploration for the two new types of mineral resources. The Secretary-
General explained that the system of exploration for polymetallic nodules in
the Area is extensively prescribed in the body of the Convention and in its
Annex III. He noted that Part XI of the Convention that governs the Area has
undergone some modifications by the 1994 Implementing Agreement.
In the system of exploration for polymetallic nodules, Mr Nandan
explained that a prospector could engage in prospecting without any time
limit. The Convention provides that a prospector may notify the Authority
that it is prospecting and give a description in broad terms as to area or areas
that it is prospecting. Prospecting does not confer any rights to the prospector,
and more than one prospector can work in the same area at the same time.
Prospecting is not defined in the Convention except that in Resolution II, there
is a definition of what activities a pioneer investor can undertake during the
pioneer period that leads to an application for an exploration license. Some of
the activities that are listed there go far beyond marine-scientific research and
prospecting per se; it actually involves much more than that, and it goes into
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