A neutral, evidence-based tracker of Tonga's role in deep-sea mineral exploration — spanning its ISA-sponsored TOML contract, the 2026 US research partnership, and the diverging positions of Pacific governments and civil society. Every figure below links to its primary source.
Where the three storylines stand
Sentiment gap
US–Tonga Research Partnership
From Executive Order 14285 to the February 2026 seabed-research cooperation announcement.
TOML Exploration & ISA Status
Contract terms, exploitation-licence status, legal disputes, Mining Code progress, and the parallel US permit route.
ISA Regulatory Vote Timeline
Council and Assembly decisions on the Mining Code and moratorium proposals, 2021–2026.
| Date | Body | Event | Outcome |
|---|
Pacific Moratorium Bloc
Country-by-country positions, PIF communiqué evolution, and the NGOs pushing for a pause.
Country positions
Pursuing mining
Pacific Islands Forum communiqué evolution
Key civil-society organizations
| Organization | Activity |
|---|
US State Department — Critical Minerals Press Releases
Statements referencing critical-mineral supply chains, the Pacific, and seabed resources.
Sentiment Monitor
Tongan government policy statements versus Civil Society Forum of Tonga (CSFT) positions.