The coming week will shape the future of the oceans as a world summit weighs a rising risk to marine environments: underwater mining. While not yet licensed to operate, exploration and drilling licenses exist, fueling concerns that rigs could push deeper toward the seabed.
Conservation groups recently returned, urging a moratorium on deep-sea mining. The timing coincides with a UN body meeting in Jamaica that could grant the world’s first license to extract minerals from the ocean floor.
More than 20 countries have urged a ban or pause ahead of a lengthy session of the UN International Seabed Authority. Companies including Samsung and BMW have pledged to avoid minerals from the deep sea, while others are pressing to have their demands approved for activities that would alter the ocean floor.
“Marine mining ranks among the most urgent environmental issues today because deep sea regions remain among the last untouched parts of our planet,” said Sofia Tsenikli of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, an alliance of environmental groups based in the Netherlands, to the Associated Press.
Clean energy drives demand for minerals
The shift toward clean energy tech has spurred greater need for metals like copper, nickel, and cobalt in sectors such as electric vehicles, solar arrays, and wind farms. It is reported that such minerals could be found at depths around 180 meters below the surface.
Lithium demand triples from 2017 to 2022, with cobalt up 70% and nickel up 40%
A market study released in July by the International Energy Agency shows lithium demand tripling between 2017 and 2022, while cobalt rose by 70% and nickel by 40%.
Mining firms argue that deep-sea extraction could be cheaper and less intrusive than land mining. Yet scientists and environmental advocates warn that less than 1% of the world’s deep sea has been explored and that mining could generate underwater noise, light pollution, and turbidity that disrupt pelagic biodiversity.
Such industrial activity threatens pristine marine habitats and their role as major carbon sinks, according to researchers and advocates. “The idea of mining deep seas could jeopardize the last natural areas on Earth and interfere with critical ecological processes,” stated a representative of a major US-based conservation group in interview coverage with the AP.
Thirty drilling licenses worldwide
There are currently no licenses for excavation, though exploration licenses exist for survey and research. The International Seabed Authority has granted more than 30 exploration licenses to date. Emma Wilson of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition notes that China holds the largest share, with 22 licenses among the five major countries involved.
Exploration licenses vs. mining licenses
The majority of ongoing research targets the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, a vast area spanning about 4.5 million square kilometers between Hawaii and Mexico. Investigations explore depths of roughly 4,000 to 6,000 meters.
With no mining licenses yet issued, experts warn that public pressure on the ISA before 2025 could shift policy. “The institution’s funding comes from royalties tied to mining contracts, so the debate is closely watched,” noted Emma Wilson of the Deep Sea Coalition.
The ISA reaffirmed its mission to protect and regulate, emphasizing that decisions reflect the will of member states.
“ISA does not push for exploitation,” the body stated. “Member states agree that mining should not begin before regulations for economic exploitation and environmental protection are in place.” The authority also indicated it follows the best available science and seeks input from more than 100 observers, including non-governmental organizations, alongside its 169 members.
The ISA continues deliberations on the proposed mining framework, and any company may apply for a mining license when conditions are met.
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Contact details for the environmental department have been withheld from publication.