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The Antarctic Treaty's environmental protocol is clear — mining is prohibited indefinitely. But a Russian document linked to the recent arrest of a Ukrainian scientist has raised questions about whether Russia has long-term ambitions to exploit oil reserves on the icy continent. The three-page document, which details the allegations against the scientist, includes a statement outlining Russia's opposition to proposed marine protected areas in Antarctica. "The implementation of these plans will … lead to the loss of the opportunity to develop hydrocarbon resources by Russia on the continental shelf of Antarctica," a translated version of the document states. Hydrocarbon resources are predominantly found in fossil fuels such as crude oil, natural gas and coal. The document was provided to the ABC by Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, who said he received it from the lawyers of the arrested scientist, Leonid Pshenichnov. Dr Pshenichnov was detained by Russian authorities in occupied Crimea last month, preventing him from attending an Antarctic conservation conference that is underway in Hobart. Russia has accused him of threatening its national security by promoting a push by Ukraine and other countries, including Australia, for a marine protected area on the Antarctica Peninsula. Russia believes the conservation measure, if enacted, could compromise its ability to gain economic benefits from krill fishing in the region. Ukraine's ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko said the allegations against Dr Pshenichnov were "ludicrous". Australia says all countries must comply with mining ban The protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, also known as the Madrid Protocol, was signed in 1991 and came into force in 1998. It explicitly bans commercial mining in Antarctica and surrounding waters in the Southern Ocean. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said all parties must adhere to the mining ban. "This would include any hydrocarbon exploration or extraction," a DFAT spokesperson said. "Australia expects all Antarctic Treaty Parties to comply with all of their obligations under the Environmental Protocol." Antarctic researcher and former United States diplomat, Evan Bloom, who previously headed the country's delegation to the annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings said the Russian document's reference to hydrocarbon resources was perplexing. "It's a very strange thing to say because it is something which, under international law, the Russian Federation cannot do," Mr Bloom said. "The question in my mind is: Does this mean that certain portions of the Russian government are interested in pursuing a policy of, in the future at some point, mining in Antarctica? "One wonders whether it points to some sort of policy basis that is currently under consideration in Russia." Mr Bloom said it was difficult to know whether such a policy was being pursued given the statement was made as part of Russia's prosecution of the Ukrainian scientist. "My hope is that there is some misunderstanding here and that they are not actively considering trying to take this step," he said. UK inquiry highlights concerns about Russian ship The ABC approached the Russian government and the country's Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute for comment, but neither replied. The Russian Embassy in Australia declined to answer questions about the document, or Russia's position on Antarctic oil. However, it was not the first time Russia's interest in Antarctica's mineral resources has come under scrutiny. A UK parliamentary committee highlighted concerns about the issue in a report released in June. "Reports that the Russian state-owned vessel Alexander Karpinsky has conducted seismic surveys in Antarctic waters, identifying potential hydrocarbon reserves estimated at 70 billion tonnes, have therefore raised serious concerns," the committee's report states. "Although Russia has maintained that the activity forms part of a scientific program, the nature and intent of these surveys cast doubt on compliance with the protocol's prohibition and risk undermining its authority." The committee recommended the international community "acts decisively" to thwart any attempts to bypass or erode the protocol's safeguards. Call for Russia to explain its position The environmental protocol, including its prohibition on mining, is sometimes misinterpreted as having an expiry date 50 years after it came into force. This is not the case. Instead, from 2048, any country that has decision-making powers in the Antarctic Treaty System, can call for a conference to "review" the protocol's operations. But even if a review happens, there are significant hurdles that prevent the protocol being amended. Adjunct professor at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) at the University of Tasmania, Tony Press, said it was "very, very unlikely" the mining ban would be overturned or modified. "Russia is bound by the current provisions of the Antarctic Treaty's environmental protocol," Dr Press said. Dr Press ran the Australian Antarctic Division between 1998 and 2009. He said it was "outrageous" for Russia to try to justify its prosecution of the Ukrainian scientist by asserting its interest over Antarctic resources. He urged other countries to call on Russia to explain its statement in the arrest document about hydrocarbon resources. "If that statement is indeed correct, and the context in which it's being used is correct, then Russia should be challenged," Dr Press said.
