Pictures from left to right Mike Johnston conducting stakeholder briefings with Peoples Representatives in Tonga. Mr Apai Moala, Senior Geologist Assistant from Ministry of Lands Country Manager Paul Taumoepeau in front of ROV prior to start of Nor Sky campaign in Tonga Tongan and PNG Geologists working together on board the vessel Nor Sky Nautilus Minerals has only recently started work in Tonga and is in the very early stages of exploration. A significant body of work over several years needs to be completed before Nautilus could propose a mining project. The objective of our exploration work is to determine if there is a commercially viable resource in Tongan waters. We look forward to working with the government and people of Tonga as we explore for mineral resources in the Kingdom. Nautilus incorporated Nautilus Minerals Tonga at the end of 2007, following the granting of 16 Prospecting Licenses by the Government of Tonga. A granted Prospecting License ("PL") provides the right to explore for mineral deposits. A PL does not give the right to mine. Nautilus opened a Tongan office in 2008 lead by Country Manager Paul Taumoepeau. The areas the Company explored in 2008 were about 100-150 kilometres from Nuku’alofa, situated near the Lau Basin. During this exploration campaign, Nautilus gathered important data by conducting bathymetric, oceanographic, environmental, geological surveys and studies – all of which are low-impact activities. Without Nautilus, these studies which help outline the mineral endowment of Tonga would not occur. All of the data collected was submitted to the Government of Tonga as part of our PL reporting requirements. The 2009 program in Tonga has been completed. To read more on this please click here.  Before the project can progress to the seafloor extraction phase, a deposit must first be found (during exploration phase) and evaluated and then determined to be economically viable.. Even then, the project can only go ahead if it is socially acceptable and if it can be done in an environmentally responsible manner. A development project has the potential to benefit Tonga greatly in several areas, including: 1. developing a new export sector based on an unutilized resource; 2. creating new direct and indirect employment; 3. developing local support businesses; and 4. transferring skills and technology from world leaders in offshore engineering to environmental science. Community consultation in Tonga to date has been with various Government Departments, schools and churches.                                                                                                                                                                                                               Photos:  Nautilus Minerals Inc