Evidence-based Exploration

Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is an integrated approach to environmental management that considers the entire ecosystem and takes into account the cumulative impacts and interactions of all future planned activities. The goal of EBM is to maintain an ecosystem in a healthy, productive and resilient condition. This principle is a core foundation of Moana Minerals’ environmental management program.

Every time our exploration team goes to sea, we are conducting environmental research. Even when the focus of a cruise is gathering engineering or resource data and samples, we take the opportunity to collect environmental data and samples concurrently. These operational synergies power our exploration program, resulting in much higher frequency and quantities of data when compared to traditional exploration programs, and ensure we have all the data needed to make fact-based decisions.

Moana’s approach to environmental management follows a structured, iterative process of robust decision-making in the face of uncertainty.

Our aim is to reduce uncertainty over time via data collection and monitoring. We use adaptive management as a tool not only to make adaptions to our exploration program, but also to learn about the area in which we operate. By applying adaptive management, which adapts processes through learning, we improve our long-run environmental management outcomes.

In order to ensure a credible assessment of the project and its impacts, we have engaged with leading independent scientists in the fields of mineral resources and environment-related sciences to provide analysis, opinions and recommendations as required by our project.

This further supports Moana Minerals’ fact-based approach to exploration.

Data collection and management done right is no simple matter. Data adequacy, integrity, traceability and shareability are all important considerations. We follow best practices by adopting the International Seabed Authority’s DeepData database structure. This approach ensures access not just for the Moana Minerals team, but for regulatory bodies and other interested parties, providing transparency in data reporting and helping to facilitate knowledge transfer.