Deep sea mining is making headlines as the International Seabed Authority (ISA) gears up for its potential implementation. The ISA’s Legal and Technical Commission is expected to meet in early July 2023 to discuss a draft mining code, with operations potentially commencing as early as 2026. Deep sea mining involves the extraction of mineral deposits and metals from the ocean floor. These materials, including nickel, rare earths, cobalt, and others, are essential components of batteries and other materials used in renewable energy production and everyday technology like cellphones and computers.
Types of Deep Sea Mining and Strategic Importance
Three primary methods of deep sea mining exist: extracting deposit-rich polymetallic nodules from the ocean floor, mining massive seafloor sulfide deposits, and stripping cobalt crusts from rock. As onshore reserves deplete and demand continues to rise, companies and governments increasingly regard these deep-sea resources as strategically important.
Environmental Concerns Surrounding Deep Sea Mining
Deep sea mining poses significant threats to marine ecosystems. Potential damages include noise, vibration and light pollution, along with possible leaks and spills of fuels and other chemicals involved in the mining process. One major concern is the creation of sediment plumes. After valuable materials are extracted, these substance-laden plumes are often released back into the sea, posing significant risks to filter feeding species and overall marine biodiversity.
Regulation of Deep Sea Mining
While countries manage their maritime territories and exclusive economic zones, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) governs the high seas and the international ocean floor. According to the treaty, the seabed and its mineral resources should be managed in a way that protects humanity’s interests through economic benefit sharing, support for marine scientific research, and safeguarding marine environments.
The Role of the International Seabed Authority (ISA)
The ISA, an autonomous organization within the United Nations system, headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica, plays a crucial role in deep sea mining. Consisting of 168 members, including the European Union, the ISA is tasked with regulating exploration for, and exploitation of deep seabed minerals found in ‘the Area’, being the seabed beyond national jurisdiction. This Area comprises over 50% of the world’s seabed.
The Future of Deep Sea Mining
As the possibility of deep sea mining gains traction, the need for thorough environmental impact assessments becomes increasingly important. Some companies, including Google, Samsung, and BMW, have supported the World Wildlife Fund’s call to pledge against using minerals mined from the oceans. Additionally, several countries like France, Germany, and some Pacific Island nations have called for a ban or pause on deep sea mining until proper environmental safeguards are in place, although it remains unclear whether other countries also support such mining.