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

Stakeholders want tourism and seabed mining included in talks with NZ Minister

Local stakeholders hope tourism, seabed mining and the lack of available flights will be at the forefront of any conversation during New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta’s visit to the Cook Islands this week.

CI NEWSDede Mingi11 October 2022Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, Nanaia Mahuta, Cook Islands, Rarotonga

SBMA prepares inspectors for exploration expeditions

Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority’s (SBMA) held a sea survival training course this week to prepare their inspectors before sending them on exploration vessels as part of its monitoring and compliance programme.

CI NEWSDede Mingi16 September 2022Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Exploration, Sea survival training, Monitoring, Compliance, National Environment Services, Ministry of Transport

Pacific nations make their own decisions, says SBMA

Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) says it respects the right of Pacific nations to make decisions regarding the sustainable development of resources in response to French Polynesia’s vote to temporary ban seabed mining projects.

Dede Mingi10 September 2022

MV Seasurveyor at Avatiu Harbour

The first of the Seabed Minerals research vessels berthed at Avatiu Harbour this week. The MV Seasurveyor which is chartered by the CIC Seabed Minerals exploration company arrived on Thursday.

CI NEWSDede Mingi25 June 2022CIC Limited (CIC), CIC Ocean Research Vessel, MV Sea Surveyor, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Seabed Minerals Exploration, Polymetallic Nodules

Joint Release: Celebrating World Oceans Day 2022

Hundreds of school children, members of the public and visitors gathered at Taua Terevete Park on Wednesday 8 June to celebrate World Oceans Day, bringing together government agencies, civil society, industry, research institutes and the public.

Joint ReleaseDede Mingi10 June 2022Seabed Minerals Authority, Cook Islands, Rarotonga, World Oceans Day, Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean, Marae Moana, Ministry of Marine Resources, National Environment Services, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration, Infrastructure Cook Islands, NGOs, Exploration Licence Holders, CIC Limited (CIC), Moana Minerals Limited (Moana Minerals), Taua Terevete

LETTERS: Key questions on seabed mining

Dear Editor, reading an article in the paper dated 31.05.22, the Prime Minister touched on the subject of deep sea mining as part of our nation’s plan for diversification.

CI NEWSDede Mingi2 June 2022Seabed Minerals Authority, Deep Sea Activities, Raro, Cook Islands, Polymetallic Nodules

SBMA Release: Cook Islands represented at the international Cobalt Institute Webinar

The Cook Islands was recently invited to participate in the Cobalt Institute's first webinar of the year, held virtually on 20 April 2022 and covering seabed minerals (SBM).

Dede Mingi4 May 2022

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)

News & Press Releases