Fringed by sparkling lagoons and palm-shaded beaches, Pacific nation the Cook Islands has opened its vast ocean territory for mining exploration.
Research vessels roam the seas searching for deposits of battery metals, rare earths and critical minerals that litter the deep ocean’s abyssal plains.
The frontier industry is likened by some to a modern-day gold rush, and decried by others as environmental “madness”.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of C3.