CSRM conducted a review of the draft Seabed Minerals Bill, issued for public comment by the Government of the Cook Islands in December 2018. The Seabed Minerals Authority (a statutory body of the Cook Islands) had invited CSRM to review the Bill. If passed, this Bill would supersede the existing Seabed Minerals Act 2009. CSRM’s review was submitted to the Authority on 27 February 2019. The latest draft Bill and associated documents are available online.

A high concentration of polymetallic nodules is located in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Cook Islands. Situated on the seabed, these nodules contain iron, manganese, copper, cobalt, nickel, and other metals. The Government of the Cook Islands is investigating the development of deep sea mining within its EEZ. No exploration or commercial production is currently taking place.