Review and evaluation of SOPAC hydrocarbon programme : 1970 - 1992

The attention being given to the possibilities of finding workanle deposits of detrial heavy minerals in beaches and the nearshore areas of some of the countries, and investigation into the feasibility of mining manganese nodules from the ocean for the content of copper, nickel, cobalt, increased the need for a coordinated regional approach and guidance to the South Pacific countries which had, as yet, legal or no experience in this new activities.