II. Recommendations

p. 173-176


Texte intégral

1The terms of reference for this expert group review identified recommendations as the key component of the request, a significant departure from the perfunctory role and limited scope often assigned to recommendations. To take full advantage of this opportunity, the panel of experts opted not to produce a long, disconnected list but instead prepared a short list of recommendations (nine in all), each with a uniform structure, and presenting in an ordered, prioritised manner the following conclusions.

2The panel of experts:

  • highlights the world-class potential of the cobalt-rich polymetallic crusts in the French Polynesian EEZ;
  • identifies the specific risks their exploitation would entail;
  • emphasizes the need to deepen knowledge, which currently is insufficient;
  • recommends the formulation and implementation of a policy to unlock this potential.

3The approach proposed by the panel of experts recognises the fundamental importance of formulating, at an early stage in the process, an explicit, tailored policy to exploit the deep-sea mineral assets of French Polynesia. This definition must, however, be incorporated into a systematised approach drawing on the acquisition of information that complements that already collected and analysed during this expert group review. The first three recommendations – to develop knowledge (R1 and R2) as well as technical and economic scenarios (R3) – are the factors that will determine whether or not to press ahead with a deep-sea mining policy.

4Based on these general conclusions, the panel of experts recommends the following actions:

5R1 Create an information system to impose consistency and organise access to existing data;

6R2 Instigate programs to generate knowledge and develop suitable technology;

7R3 Define a development strategy for a deep-sea mining industry or, alternatively, decide to abandon the project, after combining the acquired data with detailed technical and economic scenarios as well as initial consultations.

8What happens next will depend on the choice made in R3. If the decision is made to develop the industry, the panel recommends the following actions:

9R4 Organise governance at a sufficiently early stage and with the participation of all stakeholders;

10R5 Involve the country in regional, European and international initiatives to further the development of marine mineral resources, including co-operation, research and innovation;

11R6 Conduct research and development programmes focused on innovative technology in the fields of exploration, mining and metallurgy of deep-sea mineral resources;

12R7 Create efficient and attractive administrative and regulatory instruments to develop a deep-sea mining sector;

13R8 Set standards for selecting, monitoring and evaluating mining projects in order to promote control and transparency in public communication;

14R9 Organise the monitoring and evaluation of the deep-sea mineral resources policy in order to measure its effects and, when necessary, make changes.

15These nine recommendations are presented in a consistent, logical sequence. Each is expressed in the following format:

  • an explanation of its rationale and relevance;
  • its position within a set timeframe (short, medium or long term); a recommendation may cover several timeframes, depending on the proposed actions;
  • a breakdown of specific proposed actions;
  • additional comments along with a description of inherent constraints and conditions;
  • a description of how the recommendations are linked;
  • references to specific integral contributions in the full report that provided key information and offer more details on certain aspects.

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