Szczecin (Poland) During the IOM-2024 scientific expedition, an extremely large polymetallic nodule was recovered from the seabed. It is probably the largest nodule found in the IOM exploration area. The specimen was found in a box-corer sample at station BC_3710P in the Preservation Reference Zone. The concretion measured 33 x 21 x 17 cm immediately … Read more
Szczecin (Poland) The 86th meeting of the IOM Council was held from 18 to 22 May 2026 at the IOM headquarters in Szczecin, Poland. The topics discussed by the Plenipotentiary Representatives of the IOM member states included the activities of the organization, presented in the reports of the Director general of IOM, the Audit Report … Read more
Prague (Czechia) On May 6, 2026, a lecture by geologist Peter Baláž, an IOM expert, was held at the Czech Geological Survey (ČGS). In comprehensive delivery the history of deep-sea mineral exploration, the activities of the International Seabed Authority – the UN organization managing the exploration of the ocean floor in international waters – and … Read more
We are pleased to announce the publication of a new scientific article titled Exhalation of Rn-222 from polymetallic nodules, recently published in the journal Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. The study focuses on assessing the potential radiological hazards associated with the presence and release (exhalation) of radon-222 (Rn-222) from polymetallic nodules. The research provides new insights … Read more
Szczecin (Poland) The 85th meeting of the IOM Council was held from 24 to 28 November 2025 at IOM Headquarters in Szczecin, Poland. Topics discussed by the Plenipotentiary Representatives of the IOM Member States included exploration activities of the organization, approval of the IOM work plan and budget for 2026, submission of the application for … Read more
Krynica-Zdrój (Poland) IOM representative P. Balaz participated in the II. Raw Material Congress (II. Kongres surowcowy) organised by the Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute. The meeting was held in Krynica-Zdrój (Poland) and focused on the topics (1) Mineral Resources … Read more
Sofia (Bulgaria) The current status of IOM exploration activities and the importance of future efforts aimed at establishing national legislation on deep-sea exploration and exploitation in IOM sponsoring states, as well as information on the organization’s commercialization process, were the focus of discussions between the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Zhecho … Read more
Goa (India) IOM representatives V. Stoyanova and J. Mazurek participated in the 8th Annual Contractors’ Meeting, which was held in Goa, India, from 18 to 20 September 2025. The event was hosted by the ISA Secretariat and the Government of India through the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the National Institute of Oceanography. Sixteen of … Read more
A chapter titled Assessment of Cumulative Effects for Environmental Management of Deep-sea Areas Targeted for Resource Extraction (Radziejewska et al., 2025) has recently been published within the book edited by R. Sharma: Deep-Sea Mining Management, Policy and Regulation, published in Springer. The chapter discusses how the assessment of cumulative impacts/effects features in the ecosystem approach … Read more
An article titled Unlocking Europe’s resources: the strategic potential of IOM deep sea polymetallic nodules for critical metals supply (Baláž et al., 2025) has recently been published in the journal Economics and Environment. The paper investigates the potential of seabed polymetallic nodules in the IOM claim area in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean … Read more