Rising global demand for metals and developments in technology have recently renewed industry interest in exploring, and exploiting, deposits of deep sea minerals (‘DSM’). The 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea gives coastal states exclusive sovereign rights over the DSM contained within national marine boundaries. For many Pacific islands, this means that over 99% of their national jurisdiction is ocean. Surveys indicating abundant and promising mineral deposits in the Pacific Island region therefore suggest a potential economic opportunity for Pacific islands.

Volume 1A, B and C, Deep Sea Minerals: A physical, biological, environmental, and technical review, examine the geology and associated biology of the three principal deep sea mineral deposit types found in the Pacific Region. They also look at the environmental and technical aspects related to deep sea mineral extraction.

Volume 2, Deep Sea Minerals and the Green Economy

Volume 2 looks at the socio economic, legal and fiscal aspects of the emerging deep sea minerals industry. It provides a green economy context for examining how deep sea mining could be profitable, sustainable and meet the needs of Pacific Island people without sacrificing cultural heritage, community values or the health of ocean ecosystems.

The Deep Sea Minerals series, involving a network of some 60 of the world’s best experts, has been compiled as part of the European Union funded, Deep Sea Minerals in the Pacific Islands Region: a Legal and Fiscal Framework for Sustainable Resource Management Project.

Tags: deep sea minerals biodiversity ecosystem geology green economy marine environment mining oceans Pacific