Marine mining includes multi-billion dollar industries such as diamond mining off South Africa and sand and gravel mining off Great Britain and Japan. It also includes forward-thinking multinational efforts to develop deep seabed mineral deposits of nickel, copper, and cobalt under the auspices of the United Nations International Seabed Authority; intrepid ventures to recover gold, silver, copper, and other metals from hydrothermal deposits off Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and those in other Exclusive Economic Zones; and creative methods for the commercial recovery of seabed methane hydrate deposits and other untapped seabed resources in a wide variety of settings worldwide.

Since 1970, the UMI has brought together annually the representatives of private industry, government, and academia to consider the technical, economic, and political issues facing this diverse group of professionals who work toward the development and study of seabed minerals. In 1994 the UMI celebrated its first 25 years of service by holding its annual conference in Monterey, California. This year's UMI will be the 35th Institute and again will be hosted in Monterey. We have a wonderful venue, including a banquet in the world-renown Monterey Bay Aquarium, and many important issues to consider. If you have an interest in marine minerals And the environmental issues associated with marine minerals, this will be worth your support and attendance.

• Call for Papers
  Due May 31, 2005

• Registration
  Due September 15, 2005