The future of the oceans will be decided this week at a world summit that will analyze, among other issues, what is a growing threat to the planet’s seas: underwater mining. Although it is not currently a licensed operation, there are licenses issued for exploration and drilling, and many fear it is just the next step for the rigs to reach the seabed.
A few days ago, international conservation groups returned. We demand a moratorium on deep sea mining It comes on the eve of a meeting in Jamaica today of a UN body that could issue the world’s first license to extract minerals from the ocean floor.
More than 20 countries have now called for a ban or moratorium on deep-sea mining ahead of a more than week-long Council meeting on Monday. UN International Seabed Authority. Companies such as Samsung and BMW have also vowed to avoid using minerals extracted from the deep sea. But many other companies are looking forward to seeing their demands authorized to start destroying the ocean floor.
“Marine mining is one of the most important environmental problems of our time and this is because The depths of the sea are among the last untouched areas of our planet“Sofia Tsenikli of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, an alliance of environmental organizations based in the Netherlands, told the Associated Press agency:
Clean energy increases demand for minerals
Development of clean energy-based technologies, Demand for metals such as copper, nickel and cobalt is increasing significantly in sectors such as electric cars, solar panels and wind turbines According to mining companies, it can be mined from 180 meters below sea level.
Lithium demand triples between 2017 and 2022, while cobalt increases by 70% and nickel by 40%
For example, demand for lithium has tripled between 2017 and 2022, while cobalt has increased by 70% and nickel by 40%, according to a market study published in July by the International Energy Agency.
Mining companies argue that mining from the deep sea rather than on land is cheaper and has less environmental impact. But scientists and environmental groups argue that less than 1% of the world’s deep sea has been explored and warn that deep-sea mining could trigger high levels of underwater noise, light pollution and turbidity that are completely incompatible with pelagic biodiversity.
Such industrial activities “It has the potential to destroy the last natural areas on Earth and endanger our largest carbon sink.”without showing that this is technically or financially possible,” Bobbi-Jo Dobush of The Ocean Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in the United States, told the AP.
30 drilling licenses on the planet
There are currently no licenses issued to begin excavation, but there are licenses to survey and conduct research. The International Seabed Authority, responsible for the regulation of international deep waters, It has granted more than 30 exploration licenses to date. Emma Wilson of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition said China has the most of the five countries with a total of 22 such licenses.
There are currently no licenses issued to begin excavation, but there are licenses to survey and conduct research.
Most of the research focuses on an area known as the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, which spans 4.5 million square kilometers. Between Hawaii and Mexico. Search efforts are being carried out at depths varying between 4,000 and 6,000 meters.
Although no mining licenses have been issued, scientists and environmental groups worry that pressure on the International Seabed Authority before 2025 could change things. “The existence of this institution depends on the start of mining activities” Wilson reminded that the authority will be funded by royalties from mining contracts.
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) said in a statement to the Associated Press that its mission is to protect and regulate and that the decisions taken reflect the will of member states.
“ISA does not push for exploitation”, aforementioned. “ISA member states agreed that no mining should commence without agreement on regulations for economic exploitation and environmental protection.”
The authority also said it was ensuring ongoing deliberations were informed by the “best available science” and was considering input from more than 100 observers, including non-governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations, in addition to its 169 members.
The authority is still debating the rules and regulations for the proposed mining law, but any company can apply for a mining license at any time.
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