SPC Geoscience Division

Home News & Media Releases Latest Cutting-edge research surveys seabed minerals in Tongan EEZ

Cutting-edge research surveys seabed minerals in Tongan EEZ

Wednesday, 13 April 2011 09:29 administrator
E-mail Print PDF

12 APRIL 2011 NUKU’ALOFA (GOVERNMENT OF TONGA) - A Korean research vessel will carry out scientific studies on seabed minerals in Tongan waters over the next several months.

The IBRV Araon arrived 9th April with the aim of investigating seabed massive sulphide deposits such as copper, silver and gold in Tonga’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

At a special ceremony to welcome the new ship on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Kuita Vaipulu, in his role as Acting Prime Minister, thanked the Korean Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI) for organising the visit.

“The Tonga Government highly values its collaboration with KORDI on mineral prospecting ... The valuable technical information and data collected by KORDI is the essential first step towards discovery of minerals,” he said.

According to KORDI chief Mr Jang Wan Bang, a team of 27 researchers from Korea will spend the next four months collecting data from ocean beds within Tonga’s jurisdiction, up to several thousand metres below the surface.

They will be accompanied by an observer from the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources.

At the completion of the research, the team will submit an evaluation report to the Government of Tonga.

During the launch ceremony, Korean Ambassador to Tonga Mr Kwan-il Noh noted that despite the “many challenges and dangers” involved in the Araon’s cutting edge work, he is confident that mutual support can boost potential benefits for both Tonga and Korea.

“I can say the Korean Government is ready to provide its utmost support and assistance for the development of this project, which will further promote cooperation between our two countries. I hold great hope that this project can bring tangible outcomes which will contribute to the economic development and prosperity of our two countries,” he said.

Opportunities for further exploration and mineral extraction will depend on the outcomes of the research...PNS (ENDS)

Source : http://mic.gov.to/press-releases/2372-cutting-edge-research-surveys-seabed-minerals-in-tongan-eez

Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 April 2011 09:40  

Newsflash

Monday 13 October 2014, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji -  The Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) formed an Interim National Seabed Minerals Management Board (INSMB) on 2 October 2014. The board members, consisting of a small team of government officers and non-governmental representatives, are tasked by Cabinet to develop national policy and law for the appropriate governance of the nation’s deep sea resources. The Board will receive financial support and technical assistance from the Deep Sea Minerals (DSM) Project: a partnership between the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the European Union (EU).

Old tales of treasure at the bottom of the ocean did not sound so fanciful in Majuro two weeks ago, when INSMB held its inaugural meeting to discuss the precious metals known to exist in the nation’s deep seabed.

INSMB Chairperson Rebecca Lorennij (Secretary for the Ministry of Resources and Development) thanked those at the meeting: ‘The RMI government and its people would like to thank SPC and the EU through the SPC–EU DSM Project for the ongoing support provided during the past few years.

The INSMB will now progress further with the national policy on deep seabed mining and the Seabed Management Bill before approval by the RMI government, a prerequisite to establish responsible governance and management of these resources.’