New exploration licenses issued by the ISA

Seven new applications for approval of plans of work for exploration in the International Seabed Area have been approved by the Council of the International Seabed Authority. The licence areas include three licences for nodule exploration, two for polymetallic sulphides and a further two for ferromanganese crust exploration:

• United Kingdom Seabed Resources Ltd (polymetallic nodules, eastern Clarion-Clipperton Zone)
• Ocean Mineral Singapore Pte Ltd (polymetallic nodules,eastern Clarion-Clipperton Zone
• Cook Islands Investment Corporation (polymetallic nodules, Clarion-Clipperton Zone
• Government of India (polymetallic sulphides, central Indian Ocean)
• Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources of Germany (polymetallic sulphides, central Indian Ocean)
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation (Co-rich ferromanganese crusts, Magellan Mountains, western equatorial Pacific)
• Companhia de Pesquisa de Recursos Minerais (Brazil)(Co-rich ferromanganese crusts, Rio Grande Rise, South Atlantic)

For full details, please visit the International Seabed Authority website.