SBMA Release: Pacific Leaders Agree to Greater Regional Dialogue and Cooperation on Deep Sea Minerals

The 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting hosted by the Cook Islands concluded last week. Milestones included the endorsements of the 2050 Strategy Implementation Plan, the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) and the Pacific Regional Framework on Climate Mobility.

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)

‘We’re after the same thing’ – PM Brown reacts to NZ’s call for ban on seabed mining

As the New Zealand government moves towards a moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown claims both governments are actually after the same thing. Matthew Littlewood and Caleb Fotheringham report.

CI NEWSDede Mingi3 November 2022Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Ban, Seabed mining, New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, Prime Minister Mark Brown

Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says his government’s stance on deep sea mining might end up in a ‘different vaka’ to New Zealand.

The issue has proved contentious, with various environmental groups, such as Te Ipukarea Society, calling for a moratorium or outright ban on the practice.

CI NEWSDede Mingi14 October 2022Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Moratorium, Prime Minister Mark Brown, New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, Deep Sea Activities

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)

NGOs snubbed in Seabed Minerals Licensing Panel

The non-inclusion of local non-government environmental and social expertise in the recently announced Seabed Minerals Licensing Panel ‘is an obvious gap’, says a local environment group.

CI NEWSDede Mingi3 October 2021SBMA, Seabed Minerals Authority, Seabed Minerals Licensing Panel, Chairman, Garth Henderson, Financial Secretary, Pamela Maru, Secretary of Marine Resources, Prime Minister Mark Brown

Expert Seabed Minerals Licensing Panel appointed

The Prime Minister and Minister responsible for Seabed Minerals (SBM), Hon. Mark Brown is pleased to announce the appointment of the SBM Licensing Panel (Licensing Panel). The role of the Licensing Panel is to evaluate applications for exploration licenses and recommend to the Minister whether to grant or decline the applications.

Dede Mingi1 October 2021Seabed Minerals Authority, Licensing Panel Appointed, SBMA, SBMA Commissioner, Alex Herman, Prime Minister Mark Brown, Seabed Minerals, Garth Henderson, Chair, Pamela Maru, Government, Environment, Legal, Finance, Engineering, Maritime, Extractives, Selection Panel

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