China gains rights to explore 10,000 square km international seabed sulphide ore deposit

Xinhua reports China has gained the right to explore a polymetallic sulphide ore deposit located in the southwest Indian Ocean over the next 15 years.

The contract making the action possible was signed Friday between the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association and the International Seabed Authority. According to the contract, the Chinese association will have to give up 75 percent of the ore deposit region within 10 years before enjoying preemptive rights of commercially mining the remaining 2,500-square-km.