Kingston, Jamaica – 8 September 2025 – On 8 September 2025, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) received an application for approval of a plan of work for the exploration of polymetallic nodules from Impossible Metals Bahrain, sponsored by the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The exploration area under application is part of the ISA’s reserved areas in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean and is divided into six blocks. Reserved areas are contributed by developed States when they apply to the ISA for exploration rights. They are then held in a “site bank” reserved for access by developing countries or the Enterprise. This mechanism creates important opportunities for developing countries to engage in deep-sea mineral exploration, with 21 countries already having been granted exploration contracts to date.
“The addition of the first West Asian and Arab country to the list of exploration applications reflects the universality, legitimacy and functionality of the ISA’s unique system, as well as the region’s strong commitment to multilateralism and the advancement of deep-ocean marine scientific research,” said Leticia Carvalho, Secretary-General of the ISA. “While technical matters fall under the assessment of the Legal and Technical Commission, this partnership champions a forward-looking vision that is leveraging the technological leaps and bounds that can help overcome environmental challenges and power deep-sea pursuits that are anchored in the principles of sustainability,” she added.
The ISA mission is to deliver a robust, science-based regulatory regime that ensures effective governance of deep-sea mining, while protecting and preserving the marine environment.
About ISA
ISA is an autonomous intergovernmental organization mandated by the UNCLOS to manage the mineral resources of the seabed beyond national jurisdiction for the shared benefit of humankind. ISA is committed to ensuring that all economic activities in the deep seabed, including mining, are regulated and responsibly managed using the best available scientific evidence for the benefit of all humankind.
For media inquiries, please contact:
ISA Communications Unit, news@isa.org.jm
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For more information, visit our website, www.isa.org.jm