Going way, way under: Keppel’s Ocean Mineral explores seabed for the first time

Find out where and why.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has approved Ocean Mineral Singapore’s application for its first seabed exploration licence for the exploration of polymetallic nodules at a site within the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone of the Pacific.

According to a release by the Keppel Group, Keppel-owned Ocean Mineral Singapore intends to conduct environmental studies and to survey for deposits of polymetallic nodules within the approved area. Polymetallic nodules contain copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese, as well as rare earth minerals.

Here’s more from Keppel Group:

Mr Ong Ye Kung, director of OMS, said, "We are pleased to have taken another step forward in this long term project. It leverages Keppel's experience in the offshore and marine sector, and we are excited by the opportunities that this venture presents."

Seabed mineral recovery beyond nations' territorial waters is administered by the ISA established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.