The International Seabed Authority has ended its latest session by deferring consideration of new regulations to govern exploration for rich, recently-discovered mineral deposits in the deep ocean beyond national jurisdictions.

A United Nations-affiliate, the 148-member Authority met for its eleventh session from 15-25 August 2005, in Kingston, Jamaica. Delegates also deferred discussing a draft text from its Legal and Technical Commission on the deposits because the elected, policy-making, 36-member Council had not finished reviewing it. The Commission’s nine-part draft covers prospecting in the deep non-national ocean for polymetallic sulphides and cobalt-rich crusts – mineral resources that are rich in copper, iron, zinc, silver, gold and cobalt. Polymetallic nodules are potato-shaped and are often found partially buried in areas of the deep seabed, while polymetallic sulphides are found around volcanic hot springs and ferromanganese cobalt crusts occur on oceanic ridges. The next meeting of the Authority will take place from 7-18 August 2006.
More information
International Seabed Authority web site