THE ANTARCTIC TREATY

The Antarctic Treaty contemplates two types of members: the consultative parties (those that are allowed to vote and take decisions) and the non-consultative parties, also called “observers” (those that can only give their opinion).

Upon signing this treaty in 1959, the countries have agreed not to survey for minerals (uranium, gold, carbon, copper and hydrocarbon) over a period of 50 years.

Nowadays, given the difficult conditions, mining activities are not really profitable.