UN authorities and environmental experts struggle to confront the threats posed by underwater mining.
The following article was published in the July-August 2024 issue of NewsNotes.
A United Nations Ocean Conference will be held in July of 2025 dedicated to supporting the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.” In its preparatory document, the ocean is said to be “in a state of emergency as increasing eutrophication, acidification, ocean warming, deoxygenation and plastic pollution worsen its health. In addition, the alarming trend of overfishing persists, leading to over one third of global fish stocks being fished at biologically unsustainable levels.”
The document does not mention deep seabed mining and its potential negative impacts on the oceans. Deep seabed mining, the process of extracting minerals and metals from the ocean floor, is becoming a significant topic of concern as the demand for resources like copper, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements increases in the name of clean energy.
The integral ecological impacts of this practice pose serious threats to marine ecosystems and the broader health of our oceans and planet. Yet, a number of nations have already started initial exploration, applying for permits and declaring their desire to open their coastal waters to actual mining.
In the meantime, the UN International Seabed Authority, with 167 member states (The United States is not a member, nor has it ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea), struggles to agree on regulations governing mining in international waters. Yet, it has issued 31 licenses for exploration. It has until July of 2025 to develop the regulations for exploitation.
In the meantime, the U.S., China, Norway, and the tiny island Oceanic country of Nauru are leading the charge to begin exploration and extraction. Others like Germany and Canada, as well as the European Parliament, have called for national and regional moratoria. Interestingly, while Canada as a country has called for a moratorium, it is a Canadian Company that has entered into an exploration agreement with Nauru, Tonga and Kiribati, to begin harvesting nodules off the seabed.
As far back as 1984, the United States began issuing its own licenses through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. At present two remain active both of which are held by Lockheed Martin and will remain active until 2027.
One of the immediate concerns about deep-seabed mining is the physical disruption of the seafloor. Mining activities can destroy habitats, such as hydrothermal vent communities and deep-sea coral reefs, which have evolved over millions of years. These habitats are home to unique species, many of which are not found anywhere else on earth. The destruction of these environments will lead to the extinction of species that are yet to be studied or even discovered.
The excavation process during deep seabed mining will create sediment plumes that can spread over vast areas of the ocean. These plumes can smother marine life, clogging the gills of fish and other organisms, and reduce the ability of photosynthetic organisms to absorb sunlight. The extraction of minerals and metals can release toxic substances, including heavy metals like mercury and lead, into the ocean. These substances can have detrimental effects on marine life, causing neurological and reproductive issues. Additionally, the release of these toxins can contaminate the water column and sediments, posing long-term risks to the marine environment and human health.
Experts warn that deep seabed mining can alter the chemistry of seawater. The process can increase the concentration of certain chemicals, such as sulfides, which can create dead zones where oxygen levels are too low to support most marine life.
Having said this, the long-term and cumulative impacts of deep seabed mining are not well understood. The deep ocean is a complex and largely unexplored environment, making it difficult to predict the full extent of mining’s impacts. However, from our experience on land, the damage caused by mining activities can be long-lasting and irreversible, highlighting the need for comprehensive environmental assessments and cautious decision-making.
The ocean is a vital component of Earth’s life support system, playing a key role in regulating climate, supporting biodiversity, and providing resources and services that are essential for human well-being. Because of this, the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition recently announced that 27 nations are joining the call for a moratorium, precautionary pause, or ban on deep-sea mining, either in international waters, national waters, or both. The DSCC is calling on all governments to stand with science and support a moratorium. This includes a moratorium on the adoption of regulations for exploitation and the issuing of exploitation and new exploration contracts, unless and until it can be clearly demonstrated that deep seabed mining can be managed in such a way that ensures the effective protection of the marine environment and prevents loss of biodiversity.
Photo of the 29th International Seabed Authority Conference in Kingston, Jamaica from the ISA Press Release.