The Commission's Communication on Blue Growth indicated that the Commission would assess
how European industry can become competitive in extracting minerals from the seafloor and how best to ensure that this activity does not prevent future generations from benefiting from hitherto untouched ecosystems. An impact assessment followed by a Communication will be delivered in 2014
A study is therefore being prepared to map the state of knowledge on the technological, economic, legal, geological and environmental aspects.
| 11 July 2013 | request for services from DG-MARE |
| 1 August 2013 | offer from contractor |
Comments are invited on the offer before 24 August, 2013