Table of Contents
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 and the Agreement of 28 July 1994 on the implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, that Belgium has assented to by law on 18 June 1998, constitutes the legal basis for deep sea mining in the Area. The International Seabed Authority is mandated by the 1994 Agreement to adopt the necessary rules, regulations and procedures to facilitate activities in the Area as exploration activities progress.
The Mining Code represents this regulatory framework. The Mining Code comprises rules, regulations and procedures issued by the International Seabed Authority to regulate prospecting, exploration and exploitation of marine minerals in the Area.
In order to make the above-mentioned international rules applicable to Belgian nationals or companies, the following regulations were drawn up (only available in French or Dutch):
- Law of 25 May 2024 on the protection of human beings and the environment during prospection, exploration and exploitation of marine resources, the seabed and the subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction
- Royal Decree of 4 October 2013 on the prospection, exploration and exploitation of the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof, beyond the limits of national jurisdiction
