Global Lessons, Local Impact: SBMA’s Te-Ara Henderson Returns from South Australia Secondment

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) proudly welcomes home its Senior Policy and Legal Officer, Te-Ara Henderson, following the successful completion of an 11-week regulatory secondment with the South Australian Department for Energy and Mining (DEM), an exchange facilitated through the Australasian Environmental Law Enforcement and Regulators Network (AELERT).

Press ReleaseDede Mingi30 July 2025SBMA, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Te-Ara Henderson, South Australia, AELERT, Global Learning, Local Impact, AELERT Network, Cook Islands Leadership, Seabed Minerals, Regulatory Excellence, Pacific Innovation, Knowledge Exchange, Ocean Governance

A Deep-Sea Milestone: Cook Islands and China Partner on Sustainable Seabed Resource Development

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Blue Partnership in the Field of Seabed Minerals Affairs with the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People’s Republic of China, reinforcing a shared commitment to marine cooperation, sustainable resource management, and advancing deep-sea research.

Media Release, Press ReleaseDede Mingi21 February 2025Seabed Minerals, Cook Islands SBMA, Blue Partnership, Seabed Minerals Governance, Deep Sea Research, Sustainable Oceans, Marine Cooperation, Environmental Stewardship, Capacity Building, Technology Transfer, Scientific Collaboration, Blue Economy, Sustainable Development

Research vessel Anuanua Moana welcomed to the Cook Islands

To mark the arrival of their research vessel, Anuanua Moana, license holder Moana Minerals hosted a blessing and naming ceremony at Avatiu harbour yesterday.

Press ReleaseDede Mingi3 March 2023Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Moana Minerals Limited (Moana Minerals), Blessing, Naming, Ceremony, Moana Minerals Research and Scientific Vessel, Prime Minister Mark Brown, House of Ariki, Kaumaiti Nui Travel Tou, Hans Smit Director & CEO Moana Minerals

Aitutaki supports seabed minerals exploration

Last week, a delegation led by Prime Minister Mark Brown visited Aitutaki to carry out consultations on the seabed minerals (SBM) sector. The public expressed generally strong support for the Government’s development of the sector, and the current Exploration Programme underway.

Press ReleaseDede Mingi8 February 2023Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Consultations, Seabed Minerals Exploration, Community Consultations, School Consultations, Prime Minister Mark Brown, Seabed Minerals Commissioner Alex Herman, Bishop Tutai Pere, George George Williamson, CIC Limited (CIC), CIIC Seabed Resources Limited (CIICSR), Moana Minerals Limited (Moana Minerals)

Cook Islands reiterates responsible and sustainable SBM development

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (Authority) notes the recent statements made by the New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Nanaia Mahuta, regarding the call for a ‘conditional moratorium on deep sea mining in areas beyond national jurisdiction, until strong environmental rules can be agreed and backed up by robust science’.

Press ReleaseDede Mingi27 October 2022Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, SBM development, Responsible, sustainable

SBMA Release: Key messages from Exploration Licence Granting ceremony

Following on from the previous Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) release on the recent SBM Exploration Licence Granting ceremony, below is a summary of themes raised by speakers.

Press ReleaseDede Mingi17 March 2022Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands EEZ, Rarotonga, Seabed Minerals Exploration Licences, CIC Limited (CIC), CIIC Seabed Resources Limited (CIICSR), Moana Minerals Limited (Moana Minerals)

SBMA Release: Historic First Seabed Minerals Exploration Licences Granted

SBMA Release: Historic in the Cook Islands - The first signing of three SBM exploration licences with companies CIC, CIIC Seabed Resources, and Moana Minerals took place on February 23, 2022.

Press ReleaseDede Mingi25 February 2022Seabed Minerals Authority, First SBM Exploration LIcences, Granting Ceremony, Licensing Process, Media Release, Historic, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, SBMA Commissioner, Alex Herman, Prime Minister Mark Brown, CIC Limited (CIC), CIIC Seabed Resources Limited (CIICSR), Moana Minerals Limited (Moana Minerals)

SBMA Release: Cabinet approves three Seabed Minerals Exploration Licences

SBMA Release: “This is a historic milestone for our country – the first SBM exploration licences granted by the Cook Islands” said the Minister for Seabed Minerals, Prime Minister Hon Mark Brown.

Press ReleaseDede Mingi16 February 2022Seabed Minerals Authority, Seabed Minerals Minister, Prime Minister Mark Brown, SBM Advisory Committee Chair, Bishop Tutai Pere, Cabinet, Seabed Minerals Exploration Licences, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Announcement, CIC Limited (CIC), CIIC Seabed Resources Limited (CIICSR), Moana Minerals Limited (Moana Minerals)

SBMA Release: Authority announces assessment of exploration licence applicants

The Seabed Minerals Authority (Authority) has completed its assessment of the companies that applied for exploration licenses, and is pleased to announce that the following applicants have met the relevant criteria in the Seabed Minerals Act 2019: CIC Limited (CIC), CIIC Seabed Resources Limited (CIICSR), Moana Minerals Limited (Moana Minerals).

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