The Cook Islands announced today that they have reached an agreement with the US over their mineral-rich seas, previously explored by China, Agence France-Presse reported, BTA reported.
Mining companies hope to one day make billions by extracting polymetallic nodules - round pebbles the size of potatoes containing manganese, cobalt, copper and nickel - from the seabed. These minerals are key to the global economy, AFP reports.
However, environmentalists fear that this process will destroy ecosystems.
The Cook Islands and the United States "agreed to continue to cooperate more deeply in the responsible management of seabed minerals, with a commitment to scientific progress, mutual prosperity, economic autonomy and environmental management," the government of the small Pacific archipelago announced.
This is "responsible development" of underwater wealth, the government assured.
"Seabed minerals are crucial for the current and future development and powering of technologies", the US State Department commented.
Cobalt and nickel are mainly used in the production of batteries or in modern military technologies.
The Cook Islands announced in late February an agreement to explore the seabed with China, which seeks to expand its influence in Oceania.
The Cook Islands are located between New Zealand and Hawaii and are made up of 15 islands and atolls. In 2021, the country had a population of 15,040, Reuters reported.
Western countries that have traditionally ruled the Pacific islands have become increasingly concerned about China's plans to increase its influence in the region, after Beijing signed defense, trade and financial agreements with Pacific nations in recent years.
The microstate claims one of the largest deposits of polymetallic nodules in the world.
Although seabed exploration is in an advanced stage, no company or country has yet begun commercial-scale mining.