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.

 
Seabed mining company to engage with Southern Pa Enua for first time
Seabed mining company to engage with Southern Pa Enua for first time

One of the three seabed mining companies exploring the Cook Islands seabed for deep sea nodules will be visiting the Southern Pa Enua for the first time next week as part of its expanded community engagement programme.

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CI NEWSDede MingiMoana Minerals, Southern Pa Enua Outreach, Seabed Mining Engagement, Hans Smit, Community Consultations, Mangaia Visit, Mitiaro Visit, Atiu Visit, Cook Islands Outer Islands, Exploration Transparency, Stakeholder Engagement, Island Councils, Traditional Leaders, Student Outreach, Seabed Minerals Exploration, Science Vessel Tour, Community Dialogue, Environmental Awareness, Local Participation, Future Opportunities, Open Community Events, Education and Awareness, Inclusive Consultation, Cook Islands Seabed Mining, Social Media Itinerary
Seabed mining consultations criticised as ‘one-sided sales pitch’
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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CI NEWSDede MingiLouisa Castledine, Ocean Ancestors, Seabed Mining Criticism, SBMA Consultations, One-Sided Dialogue, Gold Coast Meeting, Environmental Advocacy, Diaspora Engagement, Marae Moana Framework, NGO Exclusion, Balanced Consultation, Environmental Risks, Cultural Impact, Mining Consequences, Indigenous Rights, Protection of our Moana, PR vs Reality, Cook Islands Government, Cook Islanders in Australia, Te Ipukarea Society, Korero o te Orau, Power Imbalance, Seabed Minerals Authority, PM Mark Brown, Delegation, Shor-Term Gain vs Long-Term Loss
Cook Islands youth demand transparency in seabed mining talks
Cook Islands youth demand transparency in seabed mining talks

Cook Islander Helena Keenan-Williams is calling for greater transparency and genuine consultation over the government’s controversial seabed mining plans.

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InternationalDede MingiHelena Keenan-Williams, Youth Voices, Diaspora Concerns, Seabed Mining Options, Community Consultations, Transparency & Accountability, Environmental Concerns, Sydney Meeting, Generational Impact, Government Delegation, Lack of Scientific Expertise, Language Accessibility, Cook Islands Maori, Youth Representation, Social Media Engagement, PM Mark Brown, SBMA Delegation, Science Vs Ideology, No Mining Approved, Environmental Justice, Pacific Media Network, Cook Islands in Australia, Digital Outreach Gap, Seabed Minerals Debate, Public Awareness & Education
PM Brown leads seabed minerals dialogue in Australia
PM Brown leads seabed minerals dialogue in Australia

Prime Minister Mark Brown will lead a 11-member delegation to Australia this week for an “open dialogue” on seabed exploration activities.

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CI NEWSDede MingiCook Islands Seabed Minerals, Prime Minister Mark Brown, SBMA, Diaspora Consultation, Seabed Exploration, Science-led Approach, Environmental Stewardship, Sovereign Governance, No Deep Sea Mining, Community Engagement, Australia Tour 2025, Sustainable Ocean Economy, Cook Islands Diaspora, Transparent Governance, Exploratory Only, Global Best Practice, Intergenerational Wellbeing, Moana Guardianship, Cook Islands Government, Seabed Minerals Advisory Committee
SBMA Heads to China for Global Deep Sea Science Training Workshop
SBMA Heads to China for Global Deep Sea Science Training Workshop

Three staff from the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) were among 22 international participants who recently took part in the third knowledge transfer training workshop organised and fully funded by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the Government of China. 

Held in Qingdao from 23–27 April 2025 under the ISA-China Joint Training and Research Centre (JTRC), the training workshop focused on the science and tools needed to protect deep-sea environments through Regional Environmental Management Plans (REMPs). 

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSBMA, Cook Islands, Seabed Minerals, Marine Governance, Deep Sea Exploration, Environmental Protection, ISA Training Workshop, ISA China JTRC, Global Collaboration, Knowledge Sharing, Capacity Building, Marine Spatial Planning, Sustainable Oceans, Ocean Stewardship, Deep Sea Science, REMPS, Cook Islands Pride, Pacific Leadership, Women In Science
Feature Article | 60 Years of Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Sector: Then & Now Charting Our Journey from 1965 to 2025
Feature Article | 60 Years of Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Sector: Then & Now Charting Our Journey from 1965 to 2025

For six decades, the Cook Islands has been on a remarkable journey, exploring the vast blue frontier beneath its waters. From early discoveries in the 1960s to becoming a leader in seabed minerals governance, this story is one of vision, resilience, and responsible resource management.

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Feature ArticleDede MingiCook Islands, Seabed Minerals, SBMA, Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, Rarotonga, 60 Years Of Progress, Seabed Exploration, Responsible Resource Management, Blue Economy, Polymetallic Nodules, Environmental Sustainability, Marine Science, Ethical Development, Seabed Mining, Seabed Minerals Governance, Scientific Research, Innovation, Community Engagement, Sustainable Development, Ecosystem Based Management, Pa Enua, Global Leadership, Technology Advancement, Cobalt Nickel Manganese, ARTEX 2023, WISE 2024, ARTEX 2025, Collaboration
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
Consultation Process for Strategic Environment Assessment Commences
Consultation Process for Strategic Environment Assessment Commences

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA) and the National Environmental Service (NES), in collaboration with international maritime environmental consultancy BMT, have successfully completed the technical phase of the seabed minerals Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA).

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Media ReleaseDede MingiSeabed Minerals, Cook Islands, SBMA, National Environment Services, BMT Consultancy, Strategic Environmental Assessment, SEA, Ecosystem Based Management Framework (EBMF), EBMF, Marine Spatial Assessment, Effects Assessment, Cumulative Impact Assessments, Regional Environmental Management Program, REMP, Environmental Management, Sustainable Development, Consultation Process, Ocean Stewardship, Responsible Resource Management, Environmental Impact, Cook Islands Seabed Minerals, Stakeholder Consultation, Marine Conservation, Sustainable Future, Collaborative Approach, Public Workshop, Environmental Awareness, Policy Development, Marine Resource Management
Te-Ara Henderson Completes Prestigious Pacific Diplomatic Training Programme
Te-Ara Henderson Completes Prestigious Pacific Diplomatic Training Programme

Senior policy and legal officer Te-Ara Henderson, a familiar face from the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (SBMA), has returned home after successfully completing the second phase of his diplomatic training alongside fellow aspiring Pacific diplomats. The training was held across Suva, Fiji, and Apia, Samoa, from 10 to 24 March 2025.

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Media ReleaseDede MingiCook Islands, Rarotonga, Seabed Minerals Authority, SBMA, Pacific Diplomatic Training, Diplomatic Training Programme, Manaaki Scholarship, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Education New Zealand, Wellington Uni Professional, Capacity Building, Te-Ara Henderson, Pacific Diplomacy, Regional Collaboration, Suva Fiji, Apia Samoa, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, SPREP, Diplomatic Networking, Leadership Development, Cultural Diplomacy, International Policy, Negotiation Skills, Ocean Management, Pacific Leaders, Manaaki Alumni, Regional Cooperation, SBMA Capacity Building, Seabed Minerals, Pacific Future, Pacific Diplomats, Empowering Leaders