GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATION WORKS AT THE DEPOSIT OF POLYMETALLIC NODULES IN THE CLARION–CLIPPERTON ZONE OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN: HISTORY AND RESEARCH RESULTS

Abstract

The paper highlights the history of Russian research of manganese nodules in the Pacific Clarion–Clipperton zone, the most promising nodule-bearing province of the World Ocean, and presents the main results of geological exploration work carried out in the Russian license area in the Pacific Ocean – the Russian Exploration Area for Polymetallic nodules. The article provides information about the contractual obligations to the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) that the Russian Federation has in accordance with a fifteen-year contract for the exploration of polymetallic nodules concluded with the ISBA. The paper also presents the main results of studying the baseline environmental characteristics of the natural environment in the Russian Exploration Area for Polymetallic Nodules. Information is provided on the fulfillment of other contractual obligations to the International Seabed Authority: scientific research on the development of exploration and production technologies, processing technologies, training of personnel for the International Seabed Authority, and fulfillment of financial obligations.