Commercial extraction needs ‘extensive approvals’, clarifies Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority
Pictured are the deep sea manganese nodules found in the Cook Islands Photo: EEZ. SEABED MINERALS AUTHORITY/20092117
The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), which governs seabed mineral activities under the Seabed Minerals Act 2019 (SBMA Act), emphasises that no commercial extraction can occur without extensive approvals.
With the three exploration companies, Cook Islands Cobalt (CIC) Limited, Moana Minerals Limited (a subsidiary of Ocean Minerals LLC), and Cook Islands Investment Company (CIIC) Seabed Resources Limited holding minerals exploration licences now in their fourth year of work, SBMA says, "They cannot proceed to minerals harvesting until certain requirements are met and have been evaluated.
"It’s not a simple issue of time – amongst other things, they need to complete their Approved Work Plans and have an Environmental Impact Statement publicised, then assessed by National Environment Service in order to get a Project Environmental Permit, and at least a Pre-Feasibility Study assessed by Seabed Minerals Authority in order to get a Mining Licence.
The Authority’s Director of Partnership and Cooperation, Edward Herman, says it will be very difficult for any of the exploration licence holders to meet these requirements by the end of their five-year exploration licence periods.
“Exploration Licence renewals are possible under the law but are not guaranteed as different criteria, including past performance, need to be considered."
Herman said the exploration phase has so far been successful, as they have had some high-quality organisations working and committed to trying to develop an acceptable and sustainable seabed minerals future for Cook Islanders.
"Recognition of our country having quality seabed minerals and a robust regulatory regime has grown internationally. The medium to long-term market prospects for our minerals remain very positive. And we have learned so much more about our Marae Moana these last 3+ years."
Looking into the future, IF the mineral harvesting does not go as planned, Herman says the government continues to support a range of other areas such as tourism, finance, agriculture and other services. Then, secondly, any seabed minerals revenues are to go into a sovereign wealth fund.
"Well, that is being set up but with an expanded scope so that non-SBM contributions will still make this a material and viable asset for Cook Islanders.
"The government has commissioned a consultant for a high-level assessment, and it shows that both the artisanal and industrial fishing sectors have little to nothing to worry about.
Blue Economy
In February this year, the Cook Islands entered into an agreement with China to cooperate on ‘blue economy’ investments that include deep-sea minerals development.
Blue Economy refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources, preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.
It is also for economic growth, improving livelihoods, and creating employment opportunities.
The Cook Islands is pursuing this approach and is focused on innovation, sustainable practices, and community empowerment.
On this the Cook Islands government had released the MoU for the Blue Partnership in Seabed Minerals Affairs – “an agreement to strengthen collaboration on seabed mineral research, capacity building and environmental sustainability” and agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation – “a grant aid agreement providing RMB ¥20 million Yuan (approximately NZ$4.6 million) in support of mutually agreed, and still to be determined, development projects in the Cook Islands”.
However, in Parliament on February 27, this year, Opposition Leader Tina Browne said, looking at the Seabed Mining website after reading the Memorandum of Understanding on the Blue Economy, there are three companies that have been given exploration licenses: the CIC Limited, COBALT Seabed Resources Limited and the Moana Minerals Limited.
"When I read the Memorandum of Understanding with Seabed Mining, in my understanding, it appears the government is pursuing the spirit of accepting China to assist us with our Seabed Mining."
Browne asked PM Brown whether the government will interfere with China to assist and support through buying shares in the company of the Cook Islands.
PM Brown said the Leader of the Opposition was deliberately misleading, highlighting that there is no Seabed nodule mining anywhere in the world.
"The three companies that she has mentioned have exploration licenses; we have a legislative and regulatory regime that governs all activities on our ocean and in the depths of our ocean. And it is those laws that guide and govern our country in our journey of Seabed Minerals."
PM Brown replied that the areas of cooperation that the Cook Islands government was looking at in inviting not just China but other countries are in the area of scientific research.
It is understood that in the recent visit of Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong to the Cook Islands' 60th Anniversary, he also held discussions with the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, exploring further details of ongoing and future cooperation.
Watching the US implement a new foreign policy
In the United States of America, President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to fast-track deep-sea mining within US and international waters.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says the government will be watching and observing how America will implement its new foreign policy across the globe.
Brown made this comment on May 19 in response to a question asked about United States President Donald Trump’s administration in April signing a sweeping executive order to fast-track deep-sea mining within US and international waters.
Trump signed the “Unleashing America's offshore critical minerals and resources” order directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to take steps to facilitate and expedite the permitting process for deep-sea mining.
Brown, before leaving for Australia with his 11-member delegation late May for an open dialogue on seabed exploration, said that Trump’s administration's executive order said, “It's more to do with the Americans and how they operate.
“We're just carefully sitting back and watching and observing how America is implementing its new foreign policy across the globe.”
Recently, the United States and the Cook Islands announced their cooperation to advance scientific research and responsible development of seabed mineral resources.
In a statement, the US said they begun discussions with the Cook Islands government to support the research necessary to inform seabed exploration and responsible development within the Cook Islands’ Exclusive Economic Zone.
“The United States of America and the Cook Islands are proud that U.S.-linked firms sit at the forefront of deep seabed mineral research and exploration in the Cook Islands, which reflects strong and shared U.S.-Cook Islands seabed minerals interests.
“This collaboration marks a new chapter in the partnership between our countries since we established diplomatic relations in 2023. Today, we affirm our commitment to scientific advancement, mutual prosperity, economic self-reliance, and environmental stewardship as we partner to map and research the Cook Islands’ seabed mineral resources. The Cook Islands, with its vast maritime natural resources, and the United States of America, with its expertise in oceanic research and technology, are uniquely positioned to work together to ensure that the exploration and development of seabed mineral resources are guided by rigorous gold standard science and best practices.”
It is not clear when exploration will take place.
This is part II of the article Cook Islands confronts critical questions on identity as debate on deep-sea mining grows – published on August 9, 2025.
This story was produced with support from Internews’ Earth Journalism Network.
Written by Losirene Lacanivalu | Published in Economy, Environment, Local, National