Keep Antarctica free from mining: Hunt

The Abbott government says it is committed to opposing any mining in Antarctica. Source: AAP

THE Abbott government says it is committed to opposing any mining in Antarctica amid warnings the southern continent could be facing a rampant increase in mineral exploitation.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt said it was critical Australia maintained its strong presence in the region as he unveiled the terms of reference for a 20-year Antarctic strategic plan.

He said a central objective would be to ensure Antarctica remained a "rare place of peace in the world", where pristine environmental values were upheld for the next century and beyond.

"Our goal is to make sure that this is not a place of strategic competition, that it is not a place of mineral exploitation," he told reporters in Hobart on Monday.

"The only drilling in Antarctica should be for ice cores and not for minerals."

Last week, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute warned there was growing interest in Antarctic from new players, and the continent could face problems regarding sovereignty and mining if left unaddressed.

Its report "Cold Calculations" examines how Australia could protect its territorial, environmental and research interests in Antarctica while ensuring it remains free from confrontation and exploitation.

"We could see the Antarctic Treaty break down, illegal fishing become rampant, our territorial claim disputed, the environment irreparably damaged, and a cold rush for oil, gas and minerals begin," the report states.

Mr Hunt made an "iron-clad commitment" to work within within the Antarctic treaty system to try to establish an international consensus that the continent remains free of mining for centuries to come.

Australia was one of the first signatories to the 1959 treaty overseeing Antarctica, and claims about 40 per cent of the continent's territory.

The strategic plan will also seek ways to develop Tasmania's status as a gateway to Antarctica, and recommend what is needed logistically to expand Australia's scientific capacity on the ground.

The plan will be head by Tony Press, the director of the Australian Antarctic Division in Hobart, and is due to be complete by July next year.

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