Deep-sea mining is under scrutiny as The Metals Company (TMC) seeks to bypass international regulations to extract manganese nodules in the Pacific Ocean. This controversial move has drawn criticism from the International Seabed Authority and environmental groups, who advocate for a moratorium on such activities due to potential ecological harm. TMC plans to apply for a mining license through U.S. channels as global efforts to establish a regulatory framework continue to stall.
Exploration of Precious Resources in the Deep Sea
Deep beneath the ocean’s surface, valuable resources such as manganese nodules await discovery. However, the lack of a comprehensive United Nations framework governing deep-sea mining has raised significant concerns. A Canadian firm is now seeking to take matters into its own hands by soliciting support from the United States.
The Controversial Move by The Metals Company
The Metals Company (TMC), a Canadian enterprise, aims to navigate around existing international regulations for deep-sea mining with the help of the US government. Rather than waiting for an internationally accepted set of rules, TMC plans to pursue a permit for extracting mineral resources in international waters directly through US channels.
This announcement has sparked immediate backlash from the International Seabed Authority (ISA). Numerous nations and environmental organizations, including Germany, have expressed their apprehension regarding mining activities in the largely uncharted deep sea and are calling for a moratorium on such practices.
In response to the ISA’s slow progress in reaching a consensus, TMC has officially commenced proceedings with the US Oceanographic Authority, NOAA. The company intends to apply for a commercial deep-sea mining license based on US mining regulations dating back to the 1980s in the upcoming months.
In a related development, Norway’s parliament has approved the extraction of rare earth elements off its coastline, showcasing a growing trend toward resource exploitation.
The ISA has made its stance clear, asserting that any unilateral actions would violate international law and undermine the principles of multilateralism and the peaceful use of the oceans. ISA Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho emphasized that the organization remains the sole authority in charge of the international seabed, established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1994.
With 169 member states and the European Union, the ISA is tasked with overseeing the responsible management of the seabed. Recent consultations from March 17 to 27 aimed at drafting an international agreement for deep-sea mining involved 36 member states from the ISA Council. Unfortunately, a clear regulatory framework has yet to be established, and the current meeting did not yield any definitive agreements, despite the ISA’s repeated emphasis on the urgent need for such regulations.
The extraction of manganese nodules from the ocean floor could yield crucial raw materials, yet it also poses significant risks to the delicate ecosystems of the deep sea.
Targeting the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), TMC’s plans focus on an area in the eastern Pacific, situated between Mexico and Hawaii, where vast deposits of manganese nodules exist. These nodules, which can take millions of years to form, contain essential materials like manganese, cobalt, copper, and nickel—key components for battery production. However, studies indicate that mining could severely impact the fragile ecosystems that are still largely unexplored.
Gerard Barron, CEO of TMC, expressed optimism about the growing recognition in Washington of the strategic opportunity represented by manganese nodules. He stated, “We will act with urgency,” highlighting the positive discussions already held with White House and congressional representatives.
As TMC moves forward, the ISA will be responsible for assessing applications for deep-sea mining initiatives, a process that remains under intense scrutiny.
Criticism of TMC’s actions has emerged from various environmental groups, including the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition. Greenpeace has also voiced its concerns, arguing that TMC’s attempts to circumvent the ISA underscore the necessity for a global moratorium on deep-sea mining. “The company has manipulated governments with false promises to expedite its mining ambitions,” said marine biologist Franziska Saalmann from Greenpeace.