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.

 
Posts tagged International Seabed Authortity (ISA)
SBMA contributes to deep-sea biodiversity research through SIO collaboration
SBMA contributes to deep-sea biodiversity research through SIO collaboration

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) has contributed to a joint deep-sea biodiversity research project with the Second Institute of Oceanography (SIO), supporting work to strengthen scientific knowledge of deep-sea habitats and biodiversity data. 

SBMA participated in the Synthesis and Analysis of Biodiversity Data in Deep-Sea Habitats of the Northwest Pacific project, known as SADiNP, a collaboration with the Second Institute of Oceanography. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands Seabed Minerals, Deep-Sea Biodiversity, SADiNP, Second Institute of Oceanography, SIO, International Seabed Authortity (ISA), ISA, China Joint Training and Research Centre, JTRC, Tanga Morris Jnr, Knowledge Management Division, Deep-Sea Science, Biodiversity Data, Deep-Sea Imagery, Environmental Monitoring, Marine Environment, Ocean Governance, Science Based Decision Making, Knowledge Exchange, Cook Islands Capability, Responsible Stewardship, Marae Moana, Our Moana
Cook Islands strengthens regulatory capability at ISA Council in Kingston
Cook Islands strengthens regulatory capability at ISA Council in Kingston

The Seabed Minerals Authority’s Policy and Regulatory Oversight team represented the Cook Islands at the International Seabed Authority Council meetings in Kingston, Jamaica, from 13 to 24 July 2026. 

Policy and Regulatory Oversight Director Latishia Maui-Mataora and Policy and Legal Officer Lynn Mataora attended the second part of the 31st Session of the International Seabed Authority Council, where Member States continued discussions on the international rules and responsibilities for seabed minerals activities in the Area. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Seabed Minerals, Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, International Seabed Authortity (ISA), ISA, ISA Council, 31st Session, Kingston Jamaica, Policy and Regulatory Oversight, Latishia Maui-Mataora, Lynn Mataora, Seabed Minerals Regulation, Draft Exploitation Regulations, The Area, UNCLOS, Sponsoring States, Responsibilities, Environmental Management, Environmental Monitoring, Compliance and Enforcement, Inspections, Regulatory Capability, Legal Capability, Policy Development, Ocean Governance, Deep-Sea Minerals, Science-Based Decision Making, Cook Islands Law, Exploration and Research Phase, Responsible Stewardship
SBMA takes part in regional workshop on deep seabed sustainable blue growth
SBMA takes part in regional workshop on deep seabed sustainable blue growth

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) was represented at the Pacific Small Island Developing States Regional Workshop on Deep Seabed Sustainable Blue Growth Initiative, held in Suva, Fiji, from 19 to 21 May 2026. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals Authority, SBMA, Pacific Small Island Developing States, Regional Workshop, Deep Seabed Sustainable Blue Growth Initiative, Beverly Ataera, Latishia Maui-Mataora, Rima Browne, Chloe Wragg, International Seabed Authortity (ISA), ISA, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Pacific Regional Cooperation, Pacific Ocean Governance, Sponsoring States
Stewardship & Science: Cook Islands’ Focus on ISA’s 30th Council Session
Stewardship & Science: Cook Islands’ Focus on ISA’s 30th Council Session

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) continues to champion a science-first, precautionary approach to seabed minerals, as its senior representatives join international delegates at the 30th Council Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), held in Kingston, Jamaica, from 17 to 28 March 2025. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Cook Islands, Seabed Minerals Authority, Seabed Minerals, Rarotonga, Jamaica, Seabed Mining, Science First Approach, Precautionary Approach, Environmental Stewardship, Deep Sea Mining Regulations, International Seabed Authortity (ISA), ISA 30th Council Session, Underwater Cultural Heritage, Te Kuru Pou Toru, Pacific Ocean Governance, Sustainable Development, Marine Environment Protection, Global Conversations Local Values, Cultural Responsibility, Environmental Responsibility, Science Based Decisions, Inclusive Consultation, International Cooperation, Transparency And Accountability, Sovereignty And Science, Cook Islands Priorities, Ethical Science, Future Of The Oceans, Seabed Minerals Exploration, SBMA At ISA, Equitable Ocean Governance
Herman highlights Cook Islands’ seabed minerals progress
Herman highlights Cook Islands’ seabed minerals progress

The marine minerals community from over 25 countries has gathered in Rarotonga, sharing ideas and knowledge on the future of seabed minerals as the 52nd Underwater Minerals Conference 2024 officially opened yesterday at the National Auditorium.

Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) Commissioner, Alex Herman, was amongst 18 experts from eight different countries who presented on various topics revolving around seabed minerals yesterday.

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CI NEWSDede MingiSeabed Minerals, Deep Sea Mining, UMC 2024, Marine Minerals, Rarotonga, Ocean Resources, Environmental Regulations, Cook Islands, Seabed Minerals Authority, Sustainable Mining, Polymetallic Nodules, International Collaboration, Marine Conservation, Community Consultations, Regulatory Frameworks, Ocean Protection, Marae Moana, Environmental Safeguards, Responsible Mining, Global Experts, Innovation In Mining, Sustainable Development, Cook Islands Leadership, International Seabed Authortity (ISA)
SBMA Opinion: Two-year milestone for seabed minerals exploration licences
SBMA Opinion: Two-year milestone for seabed minerals exploration licences

Last month marked two years since the country’s first seabed minerals exploration licences were issued on 23 February 2022. A major milestone and achievement for the Cook Islands after many years of preparation.

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Dede MingiCook Islands, Moana Minerals, SBMA, seabed, seabed minerals, CIC, CIIC Seabed Resources, Cobalt Seabed Resources, Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands Government, MV Seasurveyor, MV Anuanua Moana, Cook Islanders, Aitutaki, DEEPEND, Pacific, University of the South Pacific, Rarotonga, Pa Enua, Government, Joint Ore Reserve Committee, Exclusive Economic Zone, JORC, New Zealand, Australia, Rima Browne, International Seabed Authortity (ISA), ISA, Pacific Community, Norway, Aitutaki Rarotonga Transect Expedition, ARTEX, Anuanua Moana, CSD, exploration, years, seabedminerals, minerals, Cook, new, Islands, SBM, research, issued, companies, communities, past, opportunity, part
Seabed regulations: Public input ends, future updates planned
Seabed regulations: Public input ends, future updates planned

Cook Islands concludes public consultation for seabed mineral exploration guidelines, while the Prime Minister emphasises exploration’s potential for future prosperity and responsible resource extraction.

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Dede Mingiseabed minerals, SBMA, Alex Herman, NES, Cook Islands, Tranche 2A Standards and Guidelines, Seabed Minerals Authority, standards and guidelines, Authority, National Environment Services, Tranche 2a guidelines, Tranche 1 Standards, International Seabed Authortity (ISA), Tranche 2a, Parliament, Mark Brown, CIC Limited (CIC), CIIC Seabed Resources Limited (CIICSR), Moana Minerals Limited (Moana Minerals), Brown, Democratic Republic of Congo, UN Convention on the law of the sea, tranche, guidelines, standards, exploration, CIC, UN, SBM, CIIC, seabed, miinerals, licence, public, future, look, time, need, companies, ocean, law