Clarion-Clipperton Zone

About Clarion-Clipperton Zone: 

• It is a vast plain in the North Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and Mexico.
• It is known to hold large volumes of polymetallic nodules containing minerals used in electric vehicles and solar panels including manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt.
• First discovered by British sailors in 1873, the potato-shaped nodules take millions of years to form.
• Up to 30 cetacean populations, including globally endangered species like blue whales, can be found in the CCZ, where 17 exploratory deep-sea mining licenses have been granted.

Key facts International Seabed Authority (ISA)

• It is an international organization established in 1994 to regulate mining and related activities in the international seabed beyond national jurisdiction, an area that includes most of the world’s oceans.
• It came into existence upon the entry into force of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which codified international law regarding territorial waters, sea lanes, and ocean resources. 
• Members: It has 169 Members, including 168 Member States and the European Union.
• Functions
  • It is responsible for granting licenses and regulating activities related to the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources in the international seabed. 
  • It ensures that these activities are carried out in a manner that protects the marine environment and promotes the equitable and efficient utilization of resources.
• Headquarters: Kingston, Jamaica

Q1: What is UNCLOS?

UNCLOS stands for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It is an international treaty that sets out the legal framework for the use and management of the world's oceans and their resources. The convention was adopted in 1982 and came into force in 1994 after it was ratified by 60 countries.

Source: India To Seek Licences To Scout Pacific Ocean For Critical Minerals