Virtual seabed mining workshop to focus on environmental management and monitoring aspects of operating in the deep sea.

An announcement on expected timeframes on the decision-making process on four exploration licence applications by companies that have expressed interest in Cook Islands’s deep-sea mineral resources will be made within the coming weeks.

Local government officials, traditional leaders, and non-governmental organisations have been invited to a four-day virtual seabed mining workshop this week that aims to focus on environmental management and monitoring aspects of operating in the deep sea.

The digital workshop is jointly organised with the International Seabed Authority, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation.

Four locally-based speakers will be presenting in person from Muri Beach Club Hotel, including Gerald McCormack from the Natural Heritage Trust, Seabed Minerals Commissioner Alex Herman, geographic information systems officer Rima Browne, and the Cook Islands Investment Corporation Seabed Resources Limited general manager Eusenio Fatialofa.

The workshop runs from Monday, July 26 to Thursday, July 29, and the Seabed Minerals Authority has organised for local participants to convene in person at the Muri Beach Club Hotel in order to maximise their engagement.

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority is currently carrying out due diligence on four exploration licence applications by companies that have expressed interest in the nation’s deep-sea mineral resources.

Decisions on the licences have yet to be made. Seabed Minerals Commissioner Alex Herman said an announcement on expected timeframes on the decision-making process will be made within the coming weeks.

This story was produced by CI News Staff, published at Cook Islands News on 23 July 2021, reposted via PACNEWS.