Nautilus Minerals Inc. started the first stage of its mineral exploration for high-grade minerals in Tongan waters today.

The Country Manager of Nautilus Minerals in Tonga, Paula Taumoepeau, said that an exploration ship the Kilo Moana from the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology of the University of Hawaii arrived at the Port of Nuku'alofa on March 22 to conduct surveys.

He said the Institute will conduct its own routine marine research but at the same time is being contracted by Nautilus to conduct surveys.

"We are working together with this first exploration ship with 10 scientists and we have one worker who sailed with them this morning to begin the study for us," he said.

Paula added the first phase would involve the mapping and surveying of the seafloor, environmental monitoring, oceanographic work and water quality studies of the specific areas that they are exploring.

The exploration is being held in the seabed area known as the Lau Basin, which is about 100 kilometres from Nuku'alofa at the depth of about 2,000 metres.

Paula said this phase is set to finish before the end of April and the data or results will be taken for analysis before the company decided on the next stage.

He also emphasised that this is one of many phases to come in the exploration stage, which will take years to complete.

"But we believe there are minerals under the Tonga waters and the exploration will tell us whether or not minerals exist on the seafloor and if the minerals are available in commercial quantity that can be mined at a profit," he said.

No mining at this stage

He also clarified at this stage they are only an exploration company with rights to explore offshore for minerals within certain areas of the Tongan waters.

"Because we have only an exploration licence we cannot do any mining at this stage, so as an explorer we gather data and information, by conducting different types of surveys and studies," he emphasized.

Paula also said it is important to realise that exploration is a low impact activity but if they do find minerals in commercial quantity during the exploration or prospecting phase, they intend to apply to the government for a mining licence.

"This is the first exploration ship which will be followed by many more and bigger ships that we will contract to come down in a couple of months and in the next phases from different companies," he said.

At this stage we are currently advertising for local geologists to join the Nautilus Inc. and applications will be closed at the end of the month.

Nautilus Minerals Inc is a Canadian registered company that was issued a licence to explore for minerals in Tonga in December last year.