Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority
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News & Press Releases

 
 

You can read all the latest news and updates on the Cook Islands seabed minerals sector here.

 
Let’s lead with wisdom: Opposition calls for national pause on seabed mining
Let’s lead with wisdom: Opposition calls for national pause on seabed mining

Opposition leader Tina Browne is calling for a “national pause” on the Cook Islands’ deep sea mining ambitions, warning that the country is risking its oceanic heritage and identity by charging ahead with a decision that could have irreversible consequences.

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CI NEWSDede MingiTina Browne, Opposition Leader, National Pause Call, Seabed Mining Moratorium, Cook Islands Parliament, Te Moana Nui o Kiva, Pacific Ocean Protection, Deep Sea Mining Debate, Youth Representation, Ocean Heritage, Cultural Identity, Pacific Leaders in France, UN Ocean Confererence, Blue Economy Forum, Cook Islands Government, Mark Brown, Responsible Development, Inclusive Consultation, Environmental Governance, Community Dialogue, Traditional Knowledge, Ra'ui, Seabed Mining Opposition, Marine Protection Advocacy, Vaka Navigators Voices, Youth Engagement, Climate Leadership, Wisdom Before Ambition
Cook Islands Government Deepens Diaspora Ties in Australia
Cook Islands Government Deepens Diaspora Ties in Australia

The Cook Islands Government has wrapped up a national diaspora consultation tour in Sydney, Queensland, and Melbourne, connecting with Cook Islanders living in Australia through open and honest dialogue.

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Media ReleaseDede MingiCook Islands Government, Diaspora Consultation, Pacific Leadership, National Development, Community Engagement, SBMA, Cook Islands Pride, Rarotonga, Seabed Minerals, Ocean Stewardship, Sustainable Development, Environmental Protection, Climate Action, Blue Economy, Responsible Mining, Cook Islands Diaspora, Australia Tour 2025, Melbourne Consultation, Queensland Community, Sydney Session, Voices From Abroad, Pacific Diaspora, Your Voice Matters, Transparency, Future Generations, Open Dialogue, Community Voices, Shared Responsibility, Unity In Diversity, Kia Manuia, Our People Our Future
Geospatial training empowers Cook Islands agencies in marine management planning
Geospatial training empowers Cook Islands agencies in marine management planning

The Cook Islands is increasing efforts to protect and sustainably manage its marine environment through its involvement in the Pacific Biodiversity and Sustainable Land‐Seascapes Programme (Pacific BioScapes), a regional initiative funded by the European Union and coordinated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

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CI NEWSDede MingiMarine Spatial Planning, Cook islands Ocean Governance, Geospatial Training, Pacific Bioscapes Programme, SPREP, IUCN Oceania, National Marine Spatial Plan, Sustainable Marine Management, Biodiversity Conservation, QGIS, ArcGIS, Seabed Minerals Authortiy (SBMA), National Environmental Services (NES), Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR), Ministry of Transport (MOT), Infrastructure Cook Islands (ICI), GIS Training, Marine Data Mapping, Special and Unique Marine Areas (SUMAs), Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Climate Resilience, Ridge-to-Reef Approach, Ocean Zone Typologies, Interagency Coordination, Environmental Policy Development, EU-Funded Initiative, Marine Conservation Cook Islands, Empowering Local Expertise
Seabed mining company to engage with Southern Pa Enua for first time
Seabed mining company to engage with Southern Pa Enua for first time

One of the three seabed mining companies exploring the Cook Islands seabed for deep sea nodules will be visiting the Southern Pa Enua for the first time next week as part of its expanded community engagement programme.

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CI NEWSDede MingiMoana Minerals, Southern Pa Enua Outreach, Seabed Mining Engagement, Hans Smit, Community Consultations, Mangaia Visit, Mitiaro Visit, Atiu Visit, Cook Islands Outer Islands, Exploration Transparency, Stakeholder Engagement, Island Councils, Traditional Leaders, Student Outreach, Seabed Minerals Exploration, Science Vessel Tour, Community Dialogue, Environmental Awareness, Local Participation, Future Opportunities, Open Community Events, Education and Awareness, Inclusive Consultation, Cook Islands Seabed Mining, Social Media Itinerary
Seabed mining consultations criticised as ‘one-sided sales pitch’
Seabed mining consultations criticised as ‘one-sided sales pitch’

A Cook Islands environmental advocate has criticised the seabed mining consultation process being undertaken by the Cook Islands Government in Australia, describing it as one-sided and lacking meaningful engagement with local NGOs.

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CI NEWSDede MingiLouisa Castledine, Ocean Ancestors, Seabed Mining Criticism, SBMA Consultations, One-Sided Dialogue, Gold Coast Meeting, Environmental Advocacy, Diaspora Engagement, Marae Moana Framework, NGO Exclusion, Balanced Consultation, Environmental Risks, Cultural Impact, Mining Consequences, Indigenous Rights, Protection of our Moana, PR vs Reality, Cook Islands Government, Cook Islanders in Australia, Te Ipukarea Society, Korero o te Orau, Power Imbalance, Seabed Minerals Authority, PM Mark Brown, Delegation, Shor-Term Gain vs Long-Term Loss
Cook Islands youth demand transparency in seabed mining talks
Cook Islands youth demand transparency in seabed mining talks

Cook Islander Helena Keenan-Williams is calling for greater transparency and genuine consultation over the government’s controversial seabed mining plans.

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InternationalDede MingiHelena Keenan-Williams, Youth Voices, Diaspora Concerns, Seabed Mining Options, Community Consultations, Transparency & Accountability, Environmental Concerns, Sydney Meeting, Generational Impact, Government Delegation, Lack of Scientific Expertise, Language Accessibility, Cook Islands Maori, Youth Representation, Social Media Engagement, PM Mark Brown, SBMA Delegation, Science Vs Ideology, No Mining Approved, Environmental Justice, Pacific Media Network, Cook Islands in Australia, Digital Outreach Gap, Seabed Minerals Debate, Public Awareness & Education
PM Brown leads seabed minerals dialogue in Australia
PM Brown leads seabed minerals dialogue in Australia

Prime Minister Mark Brown will lead a 11-member delegation to Australia this week for an “open dialogue” on seabed exploration activities.

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CI NEWSDede MingiCook Islands Seabed Minerals, Prime Minister Mark Brown, SBMA, Diaspora Consultation, Seabed Exploration, Science-led Approach, Environmental Stewardship, Sovereign Governance, No Deep Sea Mining, Community Engagement, Australia Tour 2025, Sustainable Ocean Economy, Cook Islands Diaspora, Transparent Governance, Exploratory Only, Global Best Practice, Intergenerational Wellbeing, Moana Guardianship, Cook Islands Government, Seabed Minerals Advisory Committee
SBMA Heads to China for Global Deep Sea Science Training Workshop
SBMA Heads to China for Global Deep Sea Science Training Workshop

Three staff from the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) were among 22 international participants who recently took part in the third knowledge transfer training workshop organised and fully funded by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the Government of China. 

Held in Qingdao from 23–27 April 2025 under the ISA-China Joint Training and Research Centre (JTRC), the training workshop focused on the science and tools needed to protect deep-sea environments through Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs). 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Cook Islands, Seabed Minerals, Marine Governance, Deep Sea Exploration, Environmental Protection, ISA Training Workshop, ISA China JTRC, Global Collaboration, Knowledge Sharing, Capacity Building, Marine Spatial Planning, Sustainable Oceans, Ocean Stewardship, Deep Sea Science, REMPS, Cook Islands Pride, Pacific Leadership, Women In Science
Feature Article | 60 Years of Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Sector: Then & Now Charting Our Journey from 1965 to 2025
Feature Article | 60 Years of Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Sector: Then & Now Charting Our Journey from 1965 to 2025

For six decades, the Cook Islands has been on a remarkable journey, exploring the vast blue frontier beneath its waters. From early discoveries in the 1960s to becoming a leader in seabed minerals governance, this story is one of vision, resilience, and responsible resource management.

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Feature ArticleDede MingiCook Islands, Seabed Minerals, SBMA, Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, Rarotonga, 60 Years Of Progress, Seabed Exploration, Responsible Resource Management, Blue Economy, Polymetallic Nodules, Environmental Sustainability, Marine Science, Ethical Development, Seabed Mining, Seabed Minerals Governance, Scientific Research, Innovation, Community Engagement, Sustainable Development, Ecosystem Based Management, Pa Enua, Global Leadership, Technology Advancement, Cobalt Nickel Manganese, ARTEX 2023, WISE 2024, ARTEX 2025, Collaboration