Summary of the German application for exploration of polymetallic nodules

(a) The supervisory functions of the Authority with respect to existing contracts for exploration for polymetallic nodules

This will be the first project of its kind to assess the genetic resources in the nodule province.

(c) Ongoing assessment of available data relating to prospecting and exploration for polymetallic nodules in the CCZ

During the meeting, the Secretary General stressed the importance of this project as a means of facilitating better knowledge of polymetallic nodule resources in the CCZ.

With the exception of available manganese iron ratio data, the contractors did not agree to authorize the Authority to make use of nodule abundance and metal content data from their contract areas.

29. Takes note with satisfaction of the contract signed on 19 July 2006 between Germany and the Authority regarding the exploration of polymetallic nodules in an area in the Pacific Ocean

The workshop also recommended a work programme leading to the establishment of a reliable geological model of polymetallic nodule deposits in the CCZ within three or four years.

The guide will also provide data and information on all known nodule deposits in the CCZ with a focus on the high resolution characterization of specific deposit sites.

During the first half of 2005, the Secretariat has continued with its efforts to develop a geological model of the polymetallic nodule deposits of the CCZ.

It was also agreed that the geological model will be developed using available data (proxies) with defined and readily testable quantitative links to the abundance and grade of polymetallic nodules in the CCZ.

14. Notes with satisfaction the first examination by the Council of the International Seabed Authority ( the Authority ) of annual reports on prospecting and exploration for polymetallic nodules in the Area submitted by contractors to the Authority

The application is based on prospection data collected from 1976 to 1978 by the German consortium Arbeitsgemeinschaft meerestechnisch gewinnbarer Rohstoffe (AMR) within the scope of the polymetallic nodule investigations under the auspices of the Ocean Management Inc. (OMI) consortium.

Note by the Secretariat For the most part, the text of the draft regulations proposed by the Legal and Technical Commission follows the official text of the Regulations for prospecting and exploration for polymetallic nodules in the Area (ISBA 6 A 18).

The Repository will facilitate the dissemination of the results of marine scientific research relevant to the future commercialization of deposits of polymetallic nodules, cobalt rich ferromanganese crusts, seafloor massive sulphides and gas hydrates.

27. Takes note of the decision of the Council of the AuthorityISBA 11 C 10. to approve a plan of work for exploration of polymetallic nodules submitted by a new contractor, which is an important step towards the utilization of the resources in the Area

Taking into account the results of the Fiji workshop, the group of technical experts identified the approach that it would use to create the model, and specified which proxy data would be tested for use in predicting nodule grade and abundance.

This phase of the Kaplan Project addresses its second objective, which is to investigate and study disturbance and recolonization processes at the sea floor following mining track creation and plume resedimentation in the abyssal nodule provinces.

Notification dated 28 July 2005 sent to member States by the Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority in accordance with regulation 20, paragraph 1 (c), of the Regulations on Prospecting and Exploration for Polymetallic Nodules in the Area

Following the Secretary General's report to the tenth session of the Assembly on the work of the Authority, a number of positive developments have taken place with regard to the project to establish a geological model and prospectors guide of polymetallic nodule deposits in the Clarion Clipperton fracture zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean.