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Posts tagged Louisa Castledine

Cook Islands confronts critical questions on identity as debate on deep-sea mining grows

As the Cook Islands approaches the end of its five-year seabed minerals exploration phase and the latest partnership with the superpowers United States and China, the question facing its people is no longer just about mining—but about identity, sovereignty, stewardship, and the ocean that binds them all.

InternationalDede Mingi9 August 2025Cook Islands seabed mining debate, Deep-sea mining Cook Islands, Seabed minerals exploration Cook Islands, Cook Islands five-year exploration phase, Polymetallic nodules Cook Islands, Seabed Minerals Act Cook Islands, Mike Tavioni, Louisa Castledine, Hans Smit, June Hosking, Te Ipukarea Society, Ocean Ancestors collective, Moana Minerals, CIC Ocean Research, CIIC Seabed Resources, Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), National Environment Service (NES)

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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