The BBC have reported that deep sea mining licenses have been issued by the UN's International Seabed Authority (ISA).
In a move that has divided opinions, the licenses grant access to previously untouched seabeds for exploration, in the search for manganese, gold and copper.
UK Seabed Resources (UKSRL), part of American defence organisation Lockheed Martin, have secured the rights to explore an area "larger than the entire UK," according to the BBC report.
Under 26 permits, 1.2 million square kilometres has now been licensed for mineral searches. Raw materials are the ultimate goal for the mining operations, but environmental groups have warned of the threat of damage to marine ecosystems.
What is important to remember with the licenses are that they authorise exploration only. Exploitation permits are the logical follow-up, but the BBC estimate these could follow in years to comes, rather than immediately. Michael Lodge of the ISA did say that the new licenses could bring exploitation permits "closer" as large commercial companies look to mining in a "reasonably short time."
Protocol for the physical mining and strategies to minimise environmental impact are still to be decided and drawn up, and so the wait is inevitable.
Construction of a seafloor mining machine has been completed, therefore any delay on the miners side is already minimised.
Duncan Cunningham of UKSRL said the company remained "committed to environmentally responsible, transparent and commercially sound development of the area".
