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Introduction
Recent analyses, notably in France and Europe, show that the European states are
liable to be faced with changing global raw materials markets. These markets are
already highly dependent on imports of metal minerals and so-called “high-tech”
metals such as cobalt, platinum, rare earth elements and titanium.
This means that supply sources must be diversified, thus opening up a new field
for future exploration and exploitation, which in some cases have already begun,
of deep-sea mineral resources (DSMR). Furthermore, national strategies on such
marine resources are being developed in countries other than France (China, India,
Brazil, Russia, Germany…). There is therefore real convergence between national and European, or even global, approaches, as shown by discussions already in
progress within the United Nations and the G8. It thus appears necessary to define
a national strategy in this field, based on a long term vision, in particular in legal
terms, given the fact that mining licenses and permits are granted to States by the
International Seabed Authority (ISA).
In September 2009, the President of Ifremer initiated a foresight study on deepsea mineral resources by 2030, with twenty-three partners representing the sector’s main players: ministries, industry, research institutes, universities, specialised
agencies and the European Commission. The aim was to identify the challenges
and potential of these resources, the conditions required for their exploitation and
their medium term development in order to define and set up appropriate strategic
partnerships and programmes. Four types of potential resources were selected: hydrothermal sulphides, cobalt- and platinum-rich crusts, polymetallic nodules and
natural hydrogen.
Ifremer has been conducting research in this field for many years and has acquired experience and skills, in particular in terms of marine metallogeny, international cooperation with other partner or potential competitor countries (Russia,
Brazil…), marine equipment (vessels and subsea technology), oil industry partnerships (impact studies, biodiversity, deep-sea ecosystems) and technological research
into deposit exploration and exploitation procedures.
Furthermore, mineral resources are listed as one of the ten priorities in Ifremer’s
strategic plan for 2020, as well as in the objectives of its 2009–2013 contract. The
French environment and research ministries expressed their interest in a study on
Introduction
Recent analyses, notably in France and Europe, show that the European states are
liable to be faced with changing global raw materials markets. These markets are
already highly dependent on imports of metal minerals and so-called “high-tech”
metals such as cobalt, platinum, rare earth elements and titanium.
This means that supply sources must be diversified, thus opening up a new field
for future exploration and exploitation, which in some cases have already begun,
of deep-sea mineral resources (DSMR). Furthermore, national strategies on such
marine resources are being developed in countries other than France (China, India,
Brazil, Russia, Germany…). There is therefore real convergence between national and European, or even global, approaches, as shown by discussions already in
progress within the United Nations and the G8. It thus appears necessary to define
a national strategy in this field, based on a long term vision, in particular in legal
terms, given the fact that mining licenses and permits are granted to States by the
International Seabed Authority (ISA).
In September 2009, the President of Ifremer initiated a foresight study on deepsea mineral resources by 2030, with twenty-three partners representing the sector’s main players: ministries, industry, research institutes, universities, specialised
agencies and the European Commission. The aim was to identify the challenges
and potential of these resources, the conditions required for their exploitation and
their medium term development in order to define and set up appropriate strategic
partnerships and programmes. Four types of potential resources were selected: hydrothermal sulphides, cobalt- and platinum-rich crusts, polymetallic nodules and
natural hydrogen.
Ifremer has been conducting research in this field for many years and has acquired experience and skills, in particular in terms of marine metallogeny, international cooperation with other partner or potential competitor countries (Russia,
Brazil…), marine equipment (vessels and subsea technology), oil industry partnerships (impact studies, biodiversity, deep-sea ecosystems) and technological research
into deposit exploration and exploitation procedures.
Furthermore, mineral resources are listed as one of the ten priorities in Ifremer’s
strategic plan for 2020, as well as in the objectives of its 2009–2013 contract. The
French environment and research ministries expressed their interest in a study on