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.

CMC plans to conduct a test of its nodule prototype collector vehicle to collect polymetallic nodules from a depth ranging from 5,000 to 5,500 metres between July and October 2025. This should allow CMC to validate the nodule collector’s efficiency, reliability and economic feasibility. Environmental monitoring to evaluate potential impact on deep-sea ecosystems will be conducted simultaneously. This prototype will operate in Block A-5 of the CMC’s contract area.

H.E. Mr. Oumarou Ganou presented his credentials to the Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), H.E. Mr. Michael W. Lodge, as the Permanent Representative of Burkina Faso during a ceremony held in Kingston, Jamaica, on Tuesday, 16 April 2024.

Barcelona, Spain – On Friday, 12 April, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) concluded its engagement at the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference, where scientists, policymakers and industry leaders convened to discuss cooperation, synergies and renewed commitments towards advancing marine science and knowledge.

Porto, Portugal— On Friday, 5 April, the International Seabed Authority (ISA), in collaboration with the Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC) of Portugal, successfully concluded the first international expert workshop entitled “Charting future horizons: harnessing advanced technologies for the protection and sustainable use of the international seabed area.”