 At that time , in international law Spitsbergen was regarded as terra nullius — rights to mine and extract could be established simply by registering a claim . Bruce 's syndicate registered claims on Prince Charles Foreland and on the islands of Barentsøya and Edgeøya , among other areas . A sum of £ 4 @,@ 000 ( out of a target of £ 6 @,@ 000 ) was subscribed to finance the costs of a detailed prospecting expedition during the summer of 1909 , in a chartered vessel with a full scientific team . The results , however were " disappointing " , and the voyage absorbed almost all of the syndicate 's funds . 
