Minerals exploration on Tonga's seabed is slowly getting into a momentum as a second research ship, the R/V Onnuri left Nuku'alofa, on Wednesday, December 10 to look for copper, gold, zinc and silver on the sea-bed to the south of Tongatapu.

The first mine exploration vessel with a licence to explore for metals under Tonga's water was the Nor Sky of Nautilus Minerals Tonga Ltd. which left Nuku'alofa on September 20.

Dr Naulasikau Halatu'itu'ia form the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources said that an application for mineral exploration by a third company, Blue Metal of Australia was still being processed by government.

Meanwhile, Tonga and the People's Republic of China had agreed on join mineral exploration of the Tongan sea-bed, the Prime Minister Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele said during the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Tonga and China on October 30.

Korea

Dr Halatu'itu'ia said that the R/V Onnuri of the Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI) has been issued a two-year licence with the understanding that they will establish a mining company with an office in Nuku'alofa, like the Nautilus Minerals Tonga Ltd. "The Koreans will form a company and set up an office in Nuku'alofa during the first quarter of next year."

KORDI was established in 1973 with a belief that "the ocean is the last remaining untapped area of the planet. It holds out hope for mankind to resolve such issues as shortages of food, drinking water, resources such as renewable energy, and environmental issues like global warming and climate change." Kordi has a conviction that "the future of Korea, a nation with very limited land territory and few resources, is dependent on the ocean."

KORDI has been exploring the Tongan sea-bed for a number of years for scientific research purposes, along with others. Dr Halatu'itu'ia said that the next step for government was to issue mining licences and that will be the next step for government once they get all the information about the types and the quantity of minerals Tonga has on its sea-bed.

KORDI hosted a reception for local guests on board the R/V Onnuri while it was berthed in Nuku'alofa this week.