EIR2023/00097: Seabed Mining And Resilience To EXperimental impact project
Case reference EIR2023/00097
Published 18 April 2023
Request
Request Received: 27 February 2023
I am writing under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request the release of information relating to NERC's funding of the Seabed Mining And Resilience To EXperimental impact project, Smartex (NERC Reference NE/T003537/1).
The abstract in the details of the award (http://gotw.nerc.ac.uk/list_full.asp?pcode=NE%2FT003537%2F1&cookieConsent=A) states: 'as a partner in the first full-scale mining test done in 1979, they [UK Seabed Resources] have been able to release new data on the location and results of a 40-year old large-scale mining operation. Our project team have secured access to data and test plans, to allow detailed experimental evaluation of impact and recovery from realistic mining disturbance on a decadal scale of vital relevance to understanding the long-term sustainability of deep-sea mining'
Based on the above, please release the data and test plans related to the 1979 full-scale deep sea mining test done that was provided by the applicants to the Natural Environment Research Council as part of the application for funding to support the Smartex expedition JC241.
Response
Response Sent: 9 March 2023
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) does not hold the information relevant to your request.
The data and test plans relating to the 1979 full-scale deep sea mining test were not included in the application for funding made to the Natural Environment Research Council for project NE/T003537/1. This information remains with the project partner UK Seabed Resources and will be made available directly to the Smartex team as required throughout the project, therefore under the EIRs exception 12(4)(a) 'Information not held' applies.
Documents
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