International Seabed Authority Issues Stakeholder Survey for Mineral Exploration

The International Seabed Authority issued a Stakeholder Survey Questionnaire aimed at soliciting relevant information for the development of a regulatory framework for the exploitation of minerals in the Area from members of the Authority and current and future stakeholders.

The objective of the survey is to begin a process of stakeholder engagement and consultation as envisaged by the Council at its 19th Session meetings where it agreed that more in-depth studies should be done on the development of an exploitation code for marine minerals in the Area (ISBA19/C/18 para 19) and where it discussed several issues including inter alia engaging stakeholders and encouraged the LTC to review these issues whilst continuing its work on the drafting of the mining code.

The Stakeholder Survey is the first in a series of stakeholder engagements anticipated by the Authority to begin the development of a regulatory framework which will incorporate contemporary best practice and from which the Authority expects to benefit from the in-depth views, analysis and opinions from experts on activities in the Area.

The survey focuses on four areas: Financial terms and obligations; Environmental management terms and obligations; Health and safety and maritime security; General considerations – stakeholder communication and transparency.