France, May 2 -- New Caledonia this week imposed a 50-year ban on deep-sea mining across its entire maritime zone - a rare and sweeping move that places the French Pacific territory among the most restrictive in the world on seabed extraction.

The law blocks all commercial exploration, prospecting and mining of mineral resources within New Caledonia's exclusive economic zone - an area of 1.3 million square kilometres.

Only non-invasive scientific research will be permitted.

Lawmakers in the Congress of New Caledonia adopted the moratorium on Tuesday with broad support.

"Rather than giving in to the logic of immediate profit, New Caledonia can choose to be a pioneer in ocean protection," said Jeremie Katidjo Monnier, the local governme...