/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24763224/1258554620.jpg "Deadline for Crafting Rules on Deep-Sea Mining on the Verge of Being Missed by the Global Community")
When the island nation of Nauru announced its plans to sponsor a deep-sea mining project for battery materials, it caused concern among scientists and world leaders. This meant that companies could potentially start extracting minerals like nickel, cobalt, and copper from the ocean’s depths for the first time. Scientists were worried about the potential havoc this could wreak on ecosystems that are not yet fully understood. To address this, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) set a deadline to establish regulations for deep-sea mining by July 2023. However, it is expected that the ISA will miss this deadline. After the deadline passes, companies will be able to formally apply for permits to mine the deep sea.
To prevent this, a growing group of governments and conservationists are working to stop the mining efforts until the ISA establishes a mining code for international seabed mining. Many researchers argue that we currently have insufficient knowledge about the ocean’s abyss to create regulations that can minimize potential damage caused by mining. Experts believe that deep seabed mining cannot be done responsibly at this time and could lead to similar problems seen in land-based mining operations, as well as new issues unique to the sea.
Companies interested in deep-sea mining argue that they would be benefiting the world, as rechargeable batteries are essential for electric vehicles, solar panels, and numerous everyday devices. However, the supply chains for key battery materials on land, such as cobalt, have been plagued by allegations of human rights abuses. Deep-sea mining would allow access to polymetallic nodules containing valuable minerals like nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese, as well as underwater hydrothermal vents that release rare elements. Nevertheless, critics warn that a rush to exploit the sea would only exacerbate problems on land by increasing competition to produce cheap minerals. Furthermore, research suggests that deep-sea mining could have severe consequences for delicate marine life, including excessive noise levels that could surpass those of a rock concert and sediment plumes that could smother nearby ecosystems. Some reports argue that the damage caused by mining would be irreversible.
The ISA is responsible for creating a deep-sea mining code that would protect the marine environment and establish requirements for responsible resource extraction to combat climate change. The Metals Company, supported by Nauru, stated in March that the code would ensure environmental protection while facilitating access to critical resources. However, without established regulations, companies like The Metals Company need a sponsor country to apply for mining permits, and these applications are expected to be submitted to the ISA soon. The ISA’s upcoming meeting on July 10th will likely determine the next steps regarding these applications, even though the deadline for creating the code set by Nauru has already passed. Negotiations were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The July meeting will also discuss what to do with the applications. It is anticipated that it will be a lengthy process before any regulations are in place, as there is still much debate and disagreement regarding acceptable levels of harm caused by deep-sea mining. Over a dozen nations, including Switzerland, have called for a moratorium or pause on deep-sea mining, advocating for more scientific research and understanding of the deep sea before proceeding further. A draft resolution will be presented in July, suggesting that no work plans for proposed mining projects should be approved until all regulations are in place. If passed, this resolution could effectively halt deep-sea mining temporarily. However, it would require approval from two-thirds of the ISA Assembly members, which includes delegates from 167 different countries and the European Union, leading to potential political challenges in reaching a consensus.