Deep sea mining permits may be coming soon. What are they and what might happen?

Source: The post is based on the article “Deep sea mining permits may be coming soon. What are they and what might happen?” published in Indian Express on 3rd July 2023

What is the News?

The International Seabed Authority is preparing to resume negotiations on the opening up of international seabed for deep sea mining.

What is Deep Sea Mining?

Deep-sea mining is the process of retrieving mineral deposits from the ocean below 200 metres—the deep seabed, which covers around two-thirds of the total seafloor.

There are three types of deep sea mining: 1) taking deposit-rich polymetallic nodules off the ocean floor 2) mining massive seafloor sulphide deposits and 3) stripping cobalt crusts from rock.

How is Deep Sea Mining regulated now?

Countries manage their own maritime territory and exclusive economic zones, while the high seas and the international ocean floor are governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas(UNCLOS).It is considered to apply to states regardless of whether or not they have signed or ratified it.

Under the treaty, the seabed and its mineral resources are considered the “common heritage of mankind” that must be managed in a way that protects the interests of humanity through the sharing of economic benefits, support for marine scientific research, and protecting marine environments.

Mining companies interested in deep sea exploitation are partnering with countries to help them get exploration license.

Why is there a pressure on ISA to establish regulations now?

In 2021 the Pacific island nation of Nauru — in partnership with mining company Nauru Ocean Resources applied to the ISA to exploit minerals in a specified deep sea area. 

This triggered a clause of the UN treaty that requires the ISA to complete regulations governing deep sea exploitation by July 2023. 

If no regulations are finalized, Nauru can submit an application to conduct the mining without any governing regulations. Other countries and private companies can start applying for provisional licenses if the ISA fails to approve a set of rules and regulations by July,2023.

What is the environmental impact of deep-sea mining?

Firstly, the deep ocean absorbs and stores more than 90% of the excess heat and approximately 38% of the carbon dioxide generated by humanity. Breakdown of even a small fraction of carbon stored in marine sediments could exacerbate climate change.

Secondly, noise from deep-sea mining could disrupt marine mammals, such as whales and dolphins, that use sound as a primary means of underwater communication and sensing.

Thirdly, ​​waste water and the particles discharged by mining ships at the ocean surface will affect ecosystems and commercially important or vulnerable species,

Fourthly, there are implications for the human rights of communities that could be affected by pollution or damaged fisheries.

What do mining companies say about the environmental impact?

The mining companies argue that the biggest threat to the oceans is climate change, and that the planet’s top priority should be to achieve net-zero emissions. To achieve this, trade-offs will be necessary.