Russia Inks Major Ore Exploration Deal with International Seabed Authority

Russia has obtained the exclusive right to explore ore mineral resources in a 3,000 square kilometer section of the Pacific seabed.

Russia has acquired the exclusive right to explore ore mineral resources in a section of the Pacific bed totaling 3,000 square kilometers, which is located near the Magellan Seamounts Range, sources said.

The contract was signed between Russia and the International Seabed Authority in New York earlier this week, according to Russian Deputy National Resources and Ecology Minister Denis Khramov.

He explained that the 15-year contract stipulates that Russia could explore the cobalt-rich ferromanganese crust in the allotted parcel, which may yield an estimated 30-35 million tons of ore.

"The area granted to Russia includes 150 blocks, which have an area of 20 square kilometers each and which are located at a depth of about 5,000 kilometers in international waters," Khramov said.

He added that thus far, there have been no technologies capable of extracting mineral resources at such a depth.

"It is even more difficult than space exploration. It is the most advanced area of technological progress because creating a relevant production system that could operate at such a depth seems much like science fiction," Khramov said.

According to him, Russia will explore the area in the next 15 years so that it can finally select a total of 50 of the most promising blocks; it will develop them until they are exhausted.