Current ISA Contracts

ISA Contractors

The International Seabed Authority has issued 29 15-years exploration contracts for developing resources from polymetallic nodule fields (17), seafloor massive sulphides (7), and cobalt-rich crusts (5). Seven contracts for polymetallic nodule fields have been extended for an additional 5 years.

All data and photographs taken from the International Seabed Authority.

Polymetallic Nodules

China Minmetals Corporation

Contract Start: May 12, 2017

Contract End: May 11, 2032

Sponsoring State: China

Location: Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone

Cook Islands Investment Corporation

Contract Start: July 15, 2016

Contract End: July 14, 2031

Sponsoring State: Cook Islands

Location: Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone

UK Seabed Resources Ltd

Contract Start: March 29, 2016

Contract End: March 28, 2031

Sponsoring State: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (II)

Ocean Mineral Singapore Pte Ltd.

Contract Start: January 22, 2015

Contract End: January 21, 2030

Sponsoring State: Singapore

Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone

UK Seabed Resources Ltd.

Contract Start: February 8, 2013

Contract End: February 7, 2028

Sponsoring State: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (I)

Global Sea Mineral Resources NV

Contract Start: January 14, 2013

Contract End: January 13, 2028

Sponsoring State: Belgium

Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone

Marawa Research and Exploration Ltd.

Contract Start: January 19, 2015

Contract End: January 18, 2030

Sponsoring State: Kiribati

Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone

Tonga Offshore Mining Limited

Contract Start: January 11, 2012

Contract End: January 10, 2027

Sponsoring State: Tonga

Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone

Nauru Ocean Resources Inc.

Contract Start: July 22, 2011

Contract End: July 21, 2026

Sponsoring State: Nauru

Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone

Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources of Germany

Contract Start: July 19, 2006

Contract End: July 18, 2021

Sponsoring State: Germany

Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone

Government of India

Contract Start: March 25, 2002

Contract End: March 24, 2017

Extension: March 25, 2017

End: March 24, 2022

Sponsoring State: India

Location: Indian Ocean

Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer (IFREMER)

Contract Start: June 20, 2001

Contract End: June 19, 2016

Extension: June 20, 2016

End: June 19, 2021

Sponsoring State: France

Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone

Deep Ocean Resources Development Co. Ltd.

Contract Start: June 20, 2001

Contract End: June 19, 2016

Extension: June 20, 2016

End: June 19, 2021

Sponsoring State: Japan

Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone

China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association

Contract Start: May 22, 2001

Contract End: May 21, 2016

Extension: May 22, 2016

End: May 21, 2021

Sponsoring State: China

Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone

Government of the Republic of Korea

Contract Start: April 27, 2001

Contract End: April 26, 2016

Extension: April 27, 2016

End: April 26, 2021

Sponsoring State: Republic of Korea

Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone

JSC Yuzhmorgeologiya

Contract Start: March 29, 2001

Contract End: March 28, 2016

Extension: March 29, 2016

End: March 28, 2021

Sponsoring State: Russian Federation

Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone

Interoceanmetal Joint Organization

Contract Start: March 29, 2001

Contract End: March 28, 2016

Extension: March 29, 2016

End: March 28, 2021

Sponsoring State: Bulgaria, Cuba, Czech Republic, Poland, Russian Federation and Slovakia

Location: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone

Seafloor Massive Sulphides

Government of the Republic of Poland

Contract Start: February 12, 2018

Contract End: February 11, 2033

Sponsoring State: Government of the Republic of Poland

Location: Mid Atlantic Ridge

The Government of India

Contract Start: September 26, 2016

Contract End: September 25, 2031

Sponsoring State: India

Location: Central Indian Ocean

Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources of the Federal Republic of Germany

Contract Start: May 6, 2015

Contract End: May 5, 2030

Sponsoring State: Germany

Location: Central Indian Ocean

Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer (IFREMER)

Contract Start: November 18, 2014

Contract End: November 17, 2029

Sponsoring State: France

Location: Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Government of the Republic of Korea

Contract Start: June 24, 2014

Contract End: June 23, 2029

Sponsoring State: Korea

Location: Central Indian Ridge

Government of the Russian Federation

Contract Start: October 29, 2012

Contract End: October 28, 2027

Sponsoring State: Russian Federation

Location: Mid-Atlantic Ridge

China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association

Contract Start: November 18, 2011

Contract End: November 17, 2026

Sponsoring State: China

Location: Southwest Indian Ridge

Cobalt-Rich Crusts

The Republic of Korea

Contract Start: March 27, 2018

Contract End: March 26, 2033

Sponsoring State: Republic of Korea

Location: Western Pacific Ocean

Companhia De Pesquisa de Recursos Minerais

Contract Start: November 9, 2015

Contract End: November 8, 2030

Sponsoring State: Brazil

Location: Rio Grande Rise, South Atlantic Ocean

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Contract Start: March 10, 2015

Contract End: March 9, 2030

Sponsoring State: Russian Federation

Location: Magellan Mountains, Pacific Ocean

Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC)

Contract Start: January 27, 2014

Contract End: January 26, 2029

Sponsoring State: Japan

Location: Western Pacific Ocean

China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA)

Contract Start: April 29, 2014

Contract End: April 28, 2029

Sponsoring State: China

Location: Western Pacific Ocean