SPC-EU Deep Sea Minerals Project - SPC holds four-day workshop on deep -sea minerals in Timor Leste

Tuesday 18 November 2014, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva, Fiji –

The SPC-EU Deep Sea Minerals (DSM) Project, a partnership between the European Union and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), is holding a National Deep Sea Minerals Training Workshop from 17–20 November 2014 in Dili, Timor Leste.

SPC is working closely with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources in Timor Leste to organise this workshop. The objective is to develop and enhance the knowledge of relevant stakeholders in Timor Leste on the geological, technological, biological, environmental and legal aspects of deep-sea mining.

'This training workshop is requested by the Government of Timor Leste, and the DSM Project is happy to organise and be part of this event,' said Mr Akuila Tawake, DSM Project Manager. 'This is an excellent opportunity to share deep-sea minerals information with in-country stakeholders and discuss how we can provide legal and technical assistance to Timor Leste,' he added.

'We are indeed pleased to have the Deep Sea Minerals Project workshop hosted in Timor Leste,' said EU Head of Delegation to Timor Leste, Ms. Sylvie Tabesse. She added, 'Deep-sea mining can be a contentious issue, particularly if people are not well informed.

'The workshop will aim to address this and we hope that this will lay a solid platform for policy-makers to make informed decisions that encapsulate economic growth with sustainable development,' she explained.

Accompanying the DSM Project team, Dr James Hein, a senior scientist at the US Geological Survey, will be the key expert presenting at the workshop. Dr Hein has 40 years’ work experience as a marine geologist and has studied deep-sea minerals in many parts of the world.

About 50 participants are expected to attend this training workshop, representing government agencies, the private sector, civil society organisations and local communities. One representative from the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) will also attend the workshop to share his experiences on the PNG Solwara 1 Project, set to become the first deep-sea mining in the world.

The DSM Project is assisting the 15 Pacific ACP States, including Timor Leste, to put in place the necessary legal instruments to regulate DSM activities and develop regional frameworks that can be used by these countries. The DSM Project conducts training workshops and organises other capacity building initiatives to enable these countries to effectively engage in DSM activities.

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Caption: His Excellency Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mr Alfredo Pires addressing the participants of the Timor Leste National DSM Workshop.

Secretariat of the Pacific Community

SPC works in the following sectors: fisheries, agriculture, forestry, water resources, geoscience, transport, energy, climate change and disaster risk management, public health, statistics, education, human rights, gender, youth and culture.

SPC member countries and territories: American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, United States of America, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna.

Under Pressure documentary examines the perspectives of different stakeholders involved with deep sea mineral resources in the Pacific.

Out of Darkness documentary focuses on environmental impacts of deep sea mining.

Breaking the Surface explores how PNG and Vanuatu are working with their communities to manage future opportunities and impacts associated with the deep sea mining industry.

Expert Q&A This underwater footage from Seafloor Massive Sulphide site features Professor Cindy Van Dover, a Deep-Ocean exploration expert who talks about the ecosystem below and the importance of knowing about deep sea mining impacts.

Legal Interns Video Former legal interns of the DSM Project took to the camera to share their experiences and the skills acquired during their internships with the Project.

DSM Governance Simpleshow explains how the Deep Sea Minerals Project supports Pacific Island countries in sustainably developing their seabed minerals resources.