Seabed Minerals Act 2009.

This Act provides rules for prospecting, exploration or mining of seabed minerals within the national jurisdiction of the Cook Islands. It provides for the establishment of the Seabed Minerals Authority and the grant of the following titles by the Authority - (a) a prospecting permit; (b) an exploration licence; (c) a mining licence; and (d) a retention lease. The Act also provides for the appointment of a Seabed Minerals Commissioner (responsible for the operation of the Authority) and the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Advisory Board.
A title granted under this Act does not authorise unnecessary interference with other activities (including fishing and the conservation of the resources of the sea or the seabed) in the title area. Nothing in this Act shall affect - (a) the application and operation of the Environment Act; (b) the application and operation of the Conservation Act; (c) the right of any person to fish in any Cook Islands waters or to use such waters for recreational purposes except as may be otherwise provided regarding safety zones under this Act, under any other enactment or under an International Agreement.
The Act provides for the protection of the environment by, among other things: the continued application of the provisions of the Environment Act including environmental impact assessment and project permitting; requiring an applicant for a licence shall provide the prescribed form of financial security sufficient to cover the costs associated with the implementation of the environmental obligations of the title-holder under this Act; granting the powers to the Authority to impose remedial measures; or to undertake action in case of breach; requiring the Authority to adopt the Cook Islands Seabed Mining Environmental Emergency Contingency Plan.