Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority
Runanga Takere Moana
man-reading-newspaper-6053.jpg

News & Press Releases

 
 

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

 
Posts in CI NEWS
Cook Islands declared ‘world leader’ in seabed sector
Cook Islands declared ‘world leader’ in seabed sector

Seabed mining is no longer a distant ambition for the Cook Islands, as at last week’s Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security and Shared Prosperity summit in Hawaii, it was pushed into the geopolitical spotlight with Cook Islands leaders declaring global leadership, clearing diplomatic roadblocks and indicating that movement, not moratorium, is the direction ahead.

The two-day summit was held behind closed doors with Pacific media, including Cook Islands News, present at the event.

Read More
CI NEWSDede MingiCook Islands, Seabed Minerals, Seabed Mining, Pacific Agenda Summit, Hawaii, Pacific Islands, Prime Minister Mark Brown, Henry Puna, Beverly Ataera, Marae Moana, Ocean Governance, Science Led Approach, Environmental Research, Regulatory Frameworks, Exploration Licences, Critical Minerals, Regional Cooperation, Investment, Pacific Geopolitics
US vows to cut red tape slowingCook Islands and Pacific deals
US vows to cut red tape slowingCook Islands and Pacific deals

Washington is tearing down bureaucratic barriers that have delayed investment and financing in the Pacific, as the United States looks to deliver swifter results from its renewed engagement with the region.

United States deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau made this comment in response to a question from Cook Islands News at the conclusion of the two-day “Pacific Agenda: Investment, Security and Shared Prosperity Summit” in Honolulu, Hawaii, this week.

Read More
CI NEWSDede MingiUnited States, Cook Islands, Pacific Islands, Pacific Agenda Summit, Honolulu, Regional Cooperation, Investment, Economic Development, Infrastructure, Disaster Resilience, Connectivity, Private Sector Engagement, Shared Prosperity, Security Cooperation, Development Finance, Critical Minerals, Seabed Minerals, Cook Islands Government, Office of the Prime Minister, Pacific Partnerships, SBMA
Economic potential of Cook Islands polymetallic nodules ‘overstated’, suggests study
Economic potential of Cook Islands polymetallic nodules ‘overstated’, suggests study

A new study suggests the economic benefits of seabed mining in the Cook Islands have been exaggerated, countering government claims that the industry will generate millions in revenue.

Read More
CI NEWSDede MingiSeabed Minerals, Cook Islands, Seabed Mining, Deep Sea Mining, Polymetallic Nodules, Economic Viability, Independent Study, Environment Safeguards, Marine Science, Ocean Governance, Resource Management, National Interest, Regulatory Oversight, Responsible Stewardship, Marae Moana, Critical Minerals, Exploration Licences, Evidence Based Decision Making, Cook Island Economy, Ocean Policy
Manihiki Plateau claim adds 396,900 km2 of seabed rights
Manihiki Plateau claim adds 396,900 km2 of seabed rights

Cook Islands has secured additional seabed control after the United Nations approved its claim over the Manihiki Plateau, granting the country exclusive rights over an additional 350,000 square kilometres of seabed resources.

This follows the formal receipt of recommendations from the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) regarding the Cook Islands’ revised submission on the continental shelf limits beyond 200 nautical miles for the Manihiki Plateau.

Read More
CI NEWSDede MingiManihiki Plateau, CLCS recommendations, Continental Shelf, Extended Continental Shelf (ECS), seabed rights, Cook Islands Maritime Jurisdiction, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), UNCLOS, High Seas, Sovereign Rights, Ocean Diplomacy, Maritime Jurisdiction, Deep Sea Minerals, Polymetallic Nodules, Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VME), Environmental Stewardship, MFAI, SBMA
Commercial extraction needs ‘extensive approvals’, clarifies Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority 
Commercial extraction needs ‘extensive approvals’, clarifies Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority 

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.

Read More
International, CI NEWSDede MingiCook Islands, Seabed Minerals, SBMA, Ocean Stewardship, Blue Economy, Sustainable Future, Pacific Islands, Environmental Approvals, Deep Sea Mining, Global Partnerships
Cook Islands deal has ‘nothing to do with military or security agenda’, says Chinese ambassador
Cook Islands deal has ‘nothing to do with military or security agenda’, says Chinese ambassador

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2025-2030 signed between the Cook Islands and China has ‘nothing to do with military or security agenda’, says the Chinese ambassador to New Zealand, Cook Islands and Niue.

Read More
CI NEWSDede MingiCook Islands China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, CSP 2025–2030 Cook Islands China, Cook Islands-China MoU, Cook Islands-China Blue Economy agreement, Cook Islands-China Seabed Minerals MoU, Cook Islands diplomatic relations China, Ambassador Wang Xiaolong, Prime Minister Mark Brown, Sonny Williams, Winston Peters, Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Cook Islands Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), People’s Republic of China (PRC) Embassy, New Zealand Government, Blue Economy, Sustainable Development, CSP2025
US eyes deeper ties with Cook Islands, help businesses form ties
US eyes deeper ties with Cook Islands, help businesses form ties

The United States is looking to build stronger ties with the Cook Islands following a historic diplomatic visit this week by its Chargé d’Affaires, David Gehrenbeck, who met with Prime Minister Mark Brown during the nation’s 60th anniversary of self-governance.

Read More
CI NEWSDede MingiUS Cook Islands relations, Us delegation Cook Islands visit, US Chargé d’Affaires David Gehrenbeck, Cook Islands 60th Anniversary, Strengthening US-Cook Islands ties, US-Cook Islands economic cooperation, Secretary Tepaeru Herrmann, Seabed minerals cooperation, Capacity building in the Pacific, Maritime cooperation Cook Islands US, Pacific Islands partnerships, Young Pacific Leaders programme, US Partnership, Cook Islands, Pacific Islands, Diplomacy, Blue Economy