"China, deep Pacific test mining of rare metals...exclusivity concerns"

A Chinese state-owned company plans to test-mining rare metals at two Pacific high seas next year, according to reports.

Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun reported this based on a plan submitted to the International Maritime Organization (ISA), an international maritime regulator.

First, the Beijing Shengu Technology Development Corporation (技術開), a state-owned company in China?Public 司) will conduct a rare metal mining test in exclusive exploration waters in the Pacific Ocean, 600 kilometers south of Japan's Ogasawara Islands, around August next year.

Another state-owned company, China Woo-Kwang Group Corporation (集?Public 司) will collect about 1,300 tons of manganese nodules in international waters off Hawaii from July to October next year and test-pull a few of them.

Manganese lumps are known to contain manganese, nickel, cobalt, and copper and were laid in the sea less than 4,000 meters deep.

"This is the world's first large-scale mining attempt at the deep sea bottom of 5,000 meters or more," Yomiuri said. "If commercial development is allowed, there is a possibility that China will monopolize the international supply chain of rare metals."

High-sea minerals are defined as common human property in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and are managed by the ISA, which aims to establish international norms for salvage and commercial transactions at next summer's General Assembly.