Exploration and exploitation

1 General prohibition

(1) Except as provided by section 2 below, a person to whom this section applies shall not carry on in Antarctica any activities for, or for purposes connected with, the exploration or exploitation of mineral resources.

(2) This section applies to United Kingdom nationals, Scottish firms, and bodies incorporated under the law of any part of the United Kingdom.

(3) Her Majesty may by Order in Council extend the application of this section to bodies incorporated under the law of any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or any colony.

(4) In this Act—

• “Antarctica” means the following areas—

  (a)

  the continent of Antarctica (including all its ice shelves);

  (b)

  all Antarctic islands, that is to say, islands south of 60° South Latitude; and

  (c)

  all areas of continental shelf which are adjacent to that continent or those islands,

  and for this purpose “continental shelf” shall be construed in accordance with the rules of international law;

• “mineral resource” means any natural resource which is neither living nor renewable;

• “United Kingdom national” means an individual who is—

  (a)

  a British citizen, a British Dependent Territories citizen, a British National (Overseas) or a British Overseas citizen;

  (b)

  a person who under the [1981 c. 61.] British Nationality Act 1981 is a British subject; or

  (c)

  a British protected person within the meaning of that Act.