Test mining in the Area: Legal, regulatory, environmental governance and scientific perspectives

The International Seabed Authority, ISA, controls the areas beyond national jurisdiction and its mineral deposits and has the obligation to effectively protect the marine environment from the potentially harmful effects of exploration and extraction activities. What is required is appropriate mining techniques and that tests are carried out to ensure that there will be no adverse effects. In the currently existing or regulations currently in force or under negotiation do not include any obligation to carry out component, system and operational tests prior to the conclusion of a mining contract.

This report analyses the topic of test mining in the area from a legal, regulatory, environmental regulatory, environmental and scientific perspectives. As a result, a commitment to test mining is considered necessary, as this is the only way to only in this way can it be ensured that the necessary technology is used.

The report also analyses different regulatory approaches and explains their advantages and disadvantages.