Deep Sea Mining Act 2014

2 (1) Section 1 (prohibition of unlicensed deep sea mining) is amended as follows. U.K.

(2) For subsections (1) and (2) substitute—

“(1) A person to whom this section applies (“P”) may not explore for mineral resources of any description in any area of the deep sea bed unless—

(a) P holds an exploration licence (see section 2) which is in force or is the agent or employee of the holder of such a licence (acting in that capacity), and

(b) the licence relates to mineral resources of that description and to that area of the deep sea bed.

(2) A person to whom this section applies (“P”) may not exploit mineral resources of any description in any area of the deep sea bed unless—

(a) P holds an exploitation licence (see section 2) which is in force or is the agent or employee of the holder of such a licence (acting in that capacity), and

(b) the licence relates to mineral resources of that description and to that area of the deep sea bed.

(2A) Subsections (1) and (2) are subject to section 3A.”

(3) In subsection (6) for the definitions of “deep sea bed” and “hard mineral resources” substitute—

““deep sea bed” means the area of the sea bed situated beyond the limits of national jurisdiction of the United Kingdom or any other State;

“mineral resource” means a solid, liquid or gaseous mineral resource;”.

(4) In subsection (7) for the words from “certifying” to “Power” substitute “ or the Scottish Ministers certifying that an area of the sea bed is beyond the limits of national jurisdiction of the United Kingdom or any other State ”.