; Washington, dragging its feet all the way, needs steady pressure to accept the compromise. In U.S. , Spain , two-thirds nations reached a tentative compromise on updating Antarctic Treaty by calling for a 50-year moratorium on mining and mineral exploration. While other nations pushed for a permanent ban on commercial exploitation, Madrid and British delegates held out for a short moratorium. When the moratorium expires it may be lifted only with approval of two-thirds of the signatories. This agreement continues the 30-year the Antarctica Treaty tradition of preserving Antarctica for scientific research and keeping it off-limits to military bases, commercial development and mining, which may prove more beneficial than digging up and selling off its resources.
In U.S. , Spain , two-thirds nations reached a tentative compromise on updating Antarctic Treaty by calling for a 50-year moratorium on mining and mineral exploration. While other nations pushed for a permanent ban on commercial exploitation, Madrid and British delegates held out for a short moratorium. When the moratorium expires it may be lifted only with approval of two-thirds of the signatories. This agreement continues the 30-year the Antarctica Treaty tradition of preserving Antarctica for scientific research and keeping it off-limits to military bases, commercial development and mining, which may prove more beneficial than digging up and selling off its resources.