“The sea floor around Benham is covered with metal-rich chunks – manganese nodules that also contain nickel, copper, cobalt and other minerals,” Atienza, a former Environment secretary, said. The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (Namria) previously explored Benham and found exceptionally high concentrations of manganese nodules on the seabed, he said. Atienza said he will file a bill that seeks to establish a Benham Rise Protection and Development Authority. “We had Benham surveyed by Namria between 2007 and 2008, in connection with the Philippine government’s submission with respect to the limits of the Philippine continental shelf,” Atienza said. “China would have to cross over Luzon and claim the whole of Luzon, before it could claim Benham,” Atienza said.

Source: Manila Times March 19, 2017 17:37 UTC