UK supports moratorium on underwater mining

The United Kingdom announced on Monday October 30 that it supported a moratorium on the granting by the International Seabed Authority (IAFM) of licenses for underwater mining of minerals, such as precious metals, copper and cobalt. An activity which poses a risk of irreversible damage to marine ecosystems, according to its opponents.

>> The article to read to understand the issues surrounding underwater mining

The United Kingdom, signatory in September of a historic treaty to protect the high seas, joins other countries, including France, which are calling for “precautionary break” before the possible extraction of materials from seabeds rich in biodiversity that is still largely unknown. But several countries, notably China, managed to prevent an official debate on this issue at the AIFM Assembly in July.

Risks of destruction of habitats and species

Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the International Seabed Authority is responsible both for protecting the ocean floor in areas outside national jurisdiction, and for organizing exploration and the possible exploitation of coveted minerals. The member states of its Council have been negotiating a mining code for ten years to set the rules for the possible exploitation of these minerals, which some consider essential to fight climate change and move away from all-oil.

But since July 9, any state can apply for an operating contract for a company it sponsors. The United Kingdom said on Monday that it “will not sponsor or support the issuance of such licenses until sufficient scientific evidence is available to assess the potential impact of deep sea mining activities on marine ecosystems”.

NGOs and scientists point out the risks of direct destruction of habitats and species, but also of disruption of the ocean’s capacity to absorb the carbon emitted by human activities.