Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority
Runanga Takere Moana
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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 Seabed Minerals
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
Clear Facts, Careful Process: Where the Cook Islands Stands on Seabed Minerals
Clear Facts, Careful Process: Where the Cook Islands Stands on Seabed Minerals

Public discussion on seabed minerals has raised questions about transparency, representation, science, and decision-making. Here is where the Cook Islands currently stands, what the law requires, and why the country remains in an exploration-only phase. Those questions are fair. People should expect answers that are clear, straight, and respectful. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals, Cook Islands, SBMA, Ocean Governance, Exploration Phase, Science Based Decisions, Environmental stewardship, Marae Moana, Public Consultations, Transparency, Policy and Regulation, Licensing Process, National Environment Service (NES), Advisory Committee, Community Engagement, Ocean Nation, Cook Islands Government, Deep Sea, Marine Policy, Evidence Based Approach
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.

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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.

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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.

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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
From Global Leadership to Island Home: Meet SBM Commissioner Beverly Stacey Ataera
From Global Leadership to Island Home: Meet SBM Commissioner Beverly Stacey Ataera

At the heart of the Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) is our Seabed Minerals Commissioner, Mrs Beverly Stacey Ataera - a leader whose story blends international expertise with deep cultural belonging. 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Seabed Minerals, Le4adership, National Identity, Cook Islands, Mana Tiaki, Ocean Stewardship, Beverly Ataera, Transparency, Science Led, Community First, Cook Islands 60, Island Home, Ocean Nation
SBMA coordinates a seminar meeting of world experts on seabed minerals extraction plumes
SBMA coordinates a seminar meeting of world experts on seabed minerals extraction plumes

The Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) yesterday hosted a hybrid seminar at the University of the South Pacific, Rarotonga campus, bringing together eight international experts from the United States, Denmark, New Zealand, Australia, and China to discuss the latest advances in understanding seabed sediment plumes—clouds of particles that may be generated during seabed minerals extraction. Around 35 participants joined in person and online.

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals Authortiy (SBMA), Cook Islands, Seabed Minerals, Sediment Plumes, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Ocean Science, Marae Moana, Deep-Sea Minerals, International Collaboration, Pacific Islands Research, Sustainable Oceans