The definition of a regime on Antarctic mineral resources has begun to be the object of discussion both among the Consultative Parties to the 1959 Treaty, and, from a more general standpoint, among third-party countries and other circles concerned with the problem. While many studies suggest that the exploitation of these resources is not as near at hand as is commonly believed, and that perhaps its economic interest or yield will not be very great, a certain climate of expectation has nevertheless grown up around the subject, as happened, at its time, with the mineral resources of the sea-bed. It is on this basis that various alternatives and options are starting to be propounded, in connection with aspects ranging from the nature of the Antarctic system to consideration of specific regimes for the regulation of the activity in question. The present article will discuss some basic options in the light of what seem to be the prevailing trends.

The nature of the system and the limits of internationalization

There has been a great deal of speculation of late as to possible initiatives aimed at applying to the Antarctic continent the concept of the common heritage of mankind; sporadic references to this approach having been made in the United Nations. This point of view undoubtedly represents an extreme form of internationalization, grounded on the precedent of the regime for the mineral resources of the sea-bed.