Source:The National

A draft policy for offshore mining is in place which will cater for seabed mining projects, Mining Secretary Shadrach Himata says.

He said the draft policy would be brought before parliament for adoption first.

“We do have a draft offshore mining policy. We hope to bring this to parliament for adoption by fourth quarter this year.

Himata added that the draft policy was not yet a public document.

“At this stage it is not a public document yet.

“But consultation on this policy started in 2009,” he added.

Himata made the statement after questions were raised to the Department of Mining following concerns by landowners of Solwara 1 project impact areas, stating that a sea mining act should have been in place before  the government’s issuing of the licence to the developer.

Meanwhile, Mineral Resources Authority managing director Philip Samar said during the time when the mining act was formulated, no one ever thought that a seabed mining project would occur.

However, he said the current license issued to Nautilus Minerals for operation of Solwara 1 was catered for in that act.

“The definition of “land” for mining purposes under the mining act 1992 includes the offshore area being the seabed underlying the territorial sea and as such mining activities can take place.”

Therefore, he said that there was no question about the national government’s issuance of the various mining permits to Nautilus Minerals