Beijing Pioneer Hi-Tech Development Corporation Ltd. (BPC), an exploration contractor sponsored by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, has informed the Secretariat of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) of the launch of a stakeholder consultation on the environmental impact statement (EIS) prepared for the testing of its polymetallic nodule mining component. BPC signed its 15-year exploration contract with ISA for the exploration of polymetallic nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Western Pacific Ocean on 18 October 2019.
BPC plans to conduct a 1:5 scale test of its deep-sea polymetallic nodule collection and buffer station in Block M2 of the contract area, specifically within a 500 m x 500 m area of the Magoshichi Guyot, in the second half of 2025. This test aims to verify the reliability of the suspended collection method and the buffer station joint. The contractor intends to carry out the environmental impact assessment of the test activities on the basis of preliminary environmental baseline data collected, as well as environmental monitoring data obtained during and after the test.
The testing proposed by BPC is a prerequisite for assessing potential environmental impacts as outlined in the Recommendations for the guidance of contractors for the assessment of the possible environmental impacts arising from exploration for marine minerals in the Area adopted in 2020 and revised in 2023 by the Legal and Technical Commission.
In this context, this public consultation is intended to serve as a platform for all interested stakeholders to review and provide feedback on the EIS. The consultation period will close on 6 June 2024.
To access the final EIS, please click here.
Stakeholder comments should be sent to pioneer_eis@sina.com.
About ISA
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an autonomous international organization mandated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to protect the seabed for the shared benefit of humankind. As a science-based organization acting as Trustee for the protection and sustainable management of the Area and its minerals, ISA is committed to the principle that all nations of the world should benefit from responsible, sustainable and regulated economic activities in the deep seabed, including deep-seabed mining. ISA works to ensure that the voices of all States and stakeholders, including developing States and civil society organizations, are effectively heard in discussions around the sustainable development of the deep seabed.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms. Jaimie Abbott, Communications Specialist, ISA, jabbott@isa.org.jm