🌱 Why is deep-sea mining significant?
Deep-sea mining “could supply key metals for the energy transition”. It is estimated that the polymetallic nodule reserves found on the sea floor could be used to produced 280 million electric vehicles.
🌱 Do we understand its effects?
Our knowledge of deep-sea ecosystems and the effect of deep-sea mining is very limited. Even in the most thoroughly studied deep-sea regions, around 70%-90% of organisms collected are entirely new discoveries. Given the “scientific uncertainty and potential devastating environmental impacts”, the UN has stated that “there is no foreseeable way in which the financing of deep-sea mining activities [is] consistent with the Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles”.
🌱 What regulations are in place?
The French parliament recently approved a moratorium on deep-sea mining in its waters. Moreover, Chile, Costa Rica, Germany, New Zealand, Panama, and Spain are also considering banning deep-sea mining. The International Seabed Authority, which oversees deep-sea mining globally, is expected to announce new regulations by July. The adoption of the regulations requires a consensus from all 167 member states to the council. Several states have requested that the new rules be delayed until the environmental impacts are better understood. In the absence of the new regulations, applications for specific deep-sea projects are likely to still be considered – and may even be provisionally approved – by individual states.
🌱 What is happening in Norway?
Following the recent discovery of deposits on Norway’s seabed, Norway's Institute of Marine Research has said there is “a great lack of knowledge” of deep oceans. Several environmental groups have called on Norway to postpone or temporarily suspend its seabed exploration until more studies on the impact have been conducted. Scientists and campaigners have warned that “the decision to open up the seas to miners could come at an environmental cost” and “have huge and irreversible implications for the fragile ecosystem”. In response, the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has said that further studies needed to be conducted to determine the quantity of mineral that could be mined with an “acceptable environmental impact”.
🌱 Why is a stakeholder approach key?
Strong stakeholder participation throughout decision-making processes is key to good resource governance. Potentially affected stakeholders can help assess effects and risks, as well as suggest alternatives. In the context of deep-sea mining, the participation of “communities with traditional, cultural and indigenous links to the sea, fishing communities, communities dependent on coastal tourism and communities affected by land-based mining of minerals found in the deep sea” is essential.
🌱 Why is deep-sea mining so controversial?
Some argue that “the [energy] transition requires a short-term environmental cost for long-term environmental protection”. Yet arguably, it is also key “to prevent irreversible and large-scale destruction of ecosystems in the name of growing the renewables industry” when and where possible.
Read more about deep-sea mining here:
- https://impakter.com/france-to-ban-deep-sea-mining-what-it-implies-and-why-its-important/
Read more about the Norwegian deep-sea deposits here:
- https://scandasia.com/norwegian-metals-might-make-europe-less-dependent-on-china/