The ocean floor is increasingly being discussed in terms of its resource potential. New discoveries, improved knowledge and access to unexplored areas of the deep sea and continental shelf are some factors contributing to a renewed interest in the seafloor exploration and mining industry. The industry has been referred to as the next minerals frontier'._x000D_
To date, much of the research has focused on proving economic and technical viability of the industry, with environmental issues addressed locally. However, there is limited research internationally, and none known in Australia that considers the social viability of the industry, addressing issues such as regulatory contexts, international precedence and public acceptability. Does the nascent seafloor exploration and mining industry have a social license to operate? Does it have support amongst the wider community? If not, why not? The Wealth from Oceans National Research Flagship explored these questions by scoping the social issues that would surround an expansion._x000D_
Two desktop studies provide insight into the current level of activity in seafloor exploration and mining, recent developments and the regulatory regimes on which the industry is based. One study focused on the situation in Australia, while the other was internationally focused. A series of workshops were held with key stakeholders from government agencies, industry and other interested parties, such as environmental groups and the fisheries industry. These workshops identified and explored the different stakeholders' perceptions of the benefits, concerns, opportunities and key questions associated with an expansion of the seafloor mining industry._x000D_
The desktop studies revealed that Australia is one of only a few countries with legislation specific to seafloor exploration and mining. Nevertheless, barriers to licence approval exist because of lack of precedent in applying this legislation. Consequently, the decision process can be vulnerable to political issues and subjective judgements. The outcomes from the stakeholder workshops suggest this inconsistency may be influenced by the high levels of concern and uncertainty over environmental impacts. Uncertainty over environmental impacts can influence the acceptability of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) and also mean the perception of risk is variable._x000D_
Overall, this research suggests that the future of the seafloor exploration and mining industry will be highly dependent on Australia's ability to: improve the knowledge-base underpinning the regulatory regime, generate open and transparent communications between stakeholders, and improve the understanding of policy and regulatory processes._x000D_
FORMAL CITATION:Boughen, N, Parr, J, Littleboy, A, Johns, S, Ashworth, P and Yeats, C, 2008. Future mining of the Australian seafloor - do we have the social license? in Proceedings First International Future Mining Conference and Exhibition 2008, pp 15-26 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).