Any decision to allow gravel extraction off the Isle of Man's coast would have to be approved by the Council of Ministers.
The position has been confirmed by the Department of Trade and Industry, which has granted two licences to companies to prospect for sand, gravel and shingle from the seabed in Manx territorial waters.
The present system only allows for non-intrusive prospecting, and some exploratory extraction of small amounts.
DTI spokesman Neil Corlett says if a full licence was to be granted, it would need proper debate and consultation (audio file attached):
Neil Corlett was speaking to Dan Davies on Talking Heads.
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