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1 Study Summary
Marine mineral resources thus appear as a source of potential resources and
power, as their access remains restricted to a small number of advanced countries.
The ISA continues to grant approvals, but has no influence over the strategies of
the major States (United States, China, Russia, India, Brazil, major States of the
European Union…).
Consequently, the mineral resource situation is that of a “competitive-approach
economic resource”.
Challenges for France
Marine mineral resources are seen as an economic resource to be developed. This
implies, in the long term, developing a full-fledged sector, from exploration to exploitation.
This “competitive” approach requires good knowledge of deposits in order to
select the richest deposits, hence the following priorities: implementation of public/
private partnerships (PPP) for exploration and exploitation between States and private operators (French/European); management of private/public transfer; development of a mining sector (France/European Union); support to European technological economic stakeholders (pilot); sale of know-how and expertise by maintaining
higher education skills.
Priority
The main objective remains to be scientific exploration campaigns to inventory
resources, both in the EEZ and international waters, while preparing suitable partnerships to establish a (or several) pilot(s), then exploitation.
Global Crises
Context
The extent of recurrent crises in both the political world and the economic or environmental field (climate change) result in increased awareness of the crucial need
for coordinated responses to the threats that concern all human societies, and not
only certain regions or continents.
This situation restores the utility of international organisations and promotes
their role. The coordination of national and regional policies becomes essential in
order to boost the economy and move behaviours towards a “post-carbon” civilisation. Multinationals must fit in with these changes whether they like it or not,
including in the field of critical mineral resources, and recognise their importance
for green energies.
1 Study Summary
Marine mineral resources thus appear as a source of potential resources and
power, as their access remains restricted to a small number of advanced countries.
The ISA continues to grant approvals, but has no influence over the strategies of
the major States (United States, China, Russia, India, Brazil, major States of the
European Union…).
Consequently, the mineral resource situation is that of a “competitive-approach
economic resource”.
Challenges for France
Marine mineral resources are seen as an economic resource to be developed. This
implies, in the long term, developing a full-fledged sector, from exploration to exploitation.
This “competitive” approach requires good knowledge of deposits in order to
select the richest deposits, hence the following priorities: implementation of public/
private partnerships (PPP) for exploration and exploitation between States and private operators (French/European); management of private/public transfer; development of a mining sector (France/European Union); support to European technological economic stakeholders (pilot); sale of know-how and expertise by maintaining
higher education skills.
Priority
The main objective remains to be scientific exploration campaigns to inventory
resources, both in the EEZ and international waters, while preparing suitable partnerships to establish a (or several) pilot(s), then exploitation.
Global Crises
Context
The extent of recurrent crises in both the political world and the economic or environmental field (climate change) result in increased awareness of the crucial need
for coordinated responses to the threats that concern all human societies, and not
only certain regions or continents.
This situation restores the utility of international organisations and promotes
their role. The coordination of national and regional policies becomes essential in
order to boost the economy and move behaviours towards a “post-carbon” civilisation. Multinationals must fit in with these changes whether they like it or not,
including in the field of critical mineral resources, and recognise their importance
for green energies.