This Act makes provision with respect to the licensing of exploration and exploitation deep sea mining. Unlicensed deep sea mining is prohibited. An exploration or an exploitation licence shall be granted for such period as the Secretary of State thinks fit and shall contain such terms and conditions as he thinks fit and, in particular but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, a licence may include terms and conditions as specified. The conditions may relate to the disposal of any waste material. In determining whether to grant a licence, the Secretary of State shall have regard to the need to protect (so far as reasonably practicable) marine creatures, plants and other organisms and their habitat from any harmful effects which might result from any activities to be authorised by the licence. Where, in the opinion of Her Majesty, the law of any country contains provisions similar in their aims and effects to the provisions of this Act, Her Majesty may by Order in Council designate that country as a reciprocating country for the purposes of this Act. There shall be established a Deep Sea Mining Fund into which levies by licence holders shall be paid.
Reino Unido de Gran Bretaña e Irlanda del Norte · 1981-07-28