Prospecting and mining on the seabed in international waters (the Area) requires a contract from the International Seabed Authority (ISA). ISA Member States are eligible to apply for two types of ISA contracts. There are:
- Exploration. Contracts govern data-gathering, sampling and reporting.
- Exploitation. Contracts govern all aspects of actual mining.
At the end of 2016, 26 exploration contracts (see tables below) and no exploitation contracts were in effect. It is expected that there will be no exploitation contracts until 2018 at the earliest.
Table 1: Contracts to Explore Polymetallic Nodule Areas
| Member State(s) | Subcontractor | Expiration date |
|---|---|---|
| India | N/A | 2017 |
| China | China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association | 2021* |
| France | IFREMER (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) | 2021* |
| Germany | Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources | 2021 |
| Japan | Deep Ocean Resources Development Co. Ltd. | 2021* |
| South Korea | N/A | 2021* |
| Russia | Yuzhmorgeologiya | 2021* |
| Bulgaria, Cuba, Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, Slovakia | Inter Ocean Metal Joint Organization | 2021* |
| Nauru | Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. | 2026 |
| Tonga | Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd. | 2027 |
| Belgium | G-TEC Sea Mineral Resources NV | 2028 |
| United Kingdom (1 of 2) | UK Seabed Resources Ltd. | 2028 |
| Kiribati | Maraw Research and Exploration Ltd. | 2030 |
| Singapore | Ocean Mineral Singapore Ltd. | 2030 |
| Cook Islands | Cook Islands Investment Corp. | 2031 |
| United Kingdom (2 of 2) | UK Seabed Resources Ltd. | 2031 |
* These contracts were to expire in 2016 but received a five-year extension for exploration.
Table 2: Contracts to Explore Polymetallic Sulfide Areas
| Member State(s) | Subcontractor | Expiration date |
|---|---|---|
| China | China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association | 2026 |
| Russia | N/A | 2027 |
| France | IFREMER (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) | 2029 |
| South Korea | N/A | 2029 |
| Germany | Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources | 2030 |
| India | N/A | 2031 |
Table 3: Contracts to Explore Carbon-Rich Crust Areas
| Member State(s) | Subcontractor | Expiration date |
|---|---|---|
| China | China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association | 2029 |
| Japan | Japan Oil, Gas, and Metals National Corp. | 2029 |
| Brazil | CPRM (Geological Survey of Brazil) contractors | 2030 |
| Russia | Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment | 2030 |
