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namely, cobalt, copper and nickel, the amount of attributable
net proceeds shall not be less than 25 per cent of the
contractor's net proceeds. Subject to subparagraph (n), in all
other cases, including those where the contractor engages in
mining, transporting polymetallic nodules, and production
primarily of four processed metals, namely, cobalt, copper,
manganese and nickel, the Authority may, in its rules,
regulations and procedures, prescribe appropriate floors which
shall bear the same relationship to each case as the 25 per cent
floor does to the three-metal case.
(f) "Contractor's net proceeds" means the contractor's gross
proceeds less his operating costs and less the recovery of his
development costs as set out in subparagraph (j).
(g) (i) If the contractor engages in mining, transporting
polymetallic nodules and production of processed metals,
"contractor's gross proceeds" means the gross revenues
from the sale of the processed metals and any other
monies deemed reasonably attributable to operations
under the contract in accordance with the financial rules,
regulations and procedures of the Authority.
(ii) In all cases other than those specified in
subparagraphs (g)(i) and (n)(iii), "contractor's gross
proceeds" means the gross revenues from the sale of the
semi-processed metals from the polymetallic nodules
recovered from the area covered by the contract, and any
other monies deemed reasonably attributable to operations
under the contract in accordance with the financial rules,
regulations and procedures of the Authority.
(h) "Contractor's development costs" means:
(i) all expenditures incurred prior to the commencement of
commercial production which are directly related to the
development of the productive capacity of the area
covered by the contract and the activities related thereto
for operations under the contract in all cases other than
that specified in subparagraph (n), in conformity with
generally recognized accounting principles, including,
inter alia, costs of machinery, equipment, ships,
processing plant, construction, buildings, land, roads,
prospecting and exploration of the area covered by the
contract, research and development, interest, required
leases, licences and fees; and
(ii) expenditures similar to those set forth in (i) above
incurred subsequent to the commencement of commercial
production and necessary to carry out the plan of work,
except those chargeable to operating costs.
(i) The proceeds from the disposal of capital assets and the market
value of those capital assets which are no longer required for
operations under the contract and which are not sold shall be
deducted from the contractor's development costs during the
relevant accounting year. When these deductions exceed the
contractor's development costs the excess shall be added to the
contractor's gross proceeds.