Deep sea mining shouldn't begin before full assessment of environment impacts are made, says Ocean Panel report
4 years, 6 months ago

Deep sea mining shouldn't begin before full assessment of environment impacts are made, says Ocean Panel report

Firstpost  

Seafloor nodules contain battery metals needed to fuel the transition to clean energy, but trawling for them can disrupt ecosystems that we don’t know about. Mining on the seafloor should not begin before a full assessment of likely environmental impacts can be made, a report commissioned by the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy said on Wednesday. Environmentalists including Britain’s David Attenborough have called for a ban on deep-seabed mining that would extract resources including copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, lithium, and rare earth elements from nodules on the ocean floor. The report said international research should be conducted to fill gaps in knowledge before any seabed mining is allowed, and protected zones should be established across all ocean regions under the ISA’s jurisdiction.

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History of this topic

A vote at the International Seabed Authority could shape the future of deep-sea mining — and the Pacific remains divided
4 months, 3 weeks ago

A vote at the International Seabed Authority could shape the future of deep-sea mining — and the Pacific remains divided

ABC  

It's an industry that has divided Pacific Island nations and met pushback from environmentalists. In a speech to the UN in June, Mr Lodge said it was the ISA's "most important task" to complete the regulatory framework for deep-sea mining "in a timely and responsible manner". Mr Barron believes deep-sea mining is the "most ethical" and "best option" for acquiring …

Deep sea mining: Why Google and Greenpeace are campaigning for a ban
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Deep sea mining: Why Google and Greenpeace are campaigning for a ban

The Independent  

The deep sea includes all water below 200m, which is an area covering approximately 60 per cent of our planet. In a climate and nature emergency, when the health of our oceans is at the brink and we are already seeing widespread and fundamental changes happening in the ocean, there is absolutely no place for opening up to deep sea …

Surprising ‘dark oxygen’ discovery could ensnarl deep-sea mining | Explained
4 months, 4 weeks ago

Surprising ‘dark oxygen’ discovery could ensnarl deep-sea mining | Explained

The Hindu  

An unknown process is producing oxygen deep in the world’s oceans, where it is too dark for photosynthesis, scientists reported on July 22 in the journal Nature Geoscience. The oxygen discovery raises questions about how deep-sea mining to extract polymetallic nodules will affect marine ecosystems. Experts have found deep-sea mining itself could be harmful to the marine environment, ‘dark oxygen’ …

Deep-sea metals may be source of oxygen for life on ocean floor
4 months, 4 weeks ago

Deep-sea metals may be source of oxygen for life on ocean floor

LA Times  

New research suggests that polymetallic nodules on the deep-sea floor may produce oxygen, a conclusion that could have enormous consequences for mining companies. That’s because a team of international scientists found that the prized nodules produce oxygen — and may be responsible for enriching this dark, remote ecosystem with one of life’s most important elements. The company noted it was …

California and Hawaii lead charge against deep-sea mining of critical metals
5 months ago

California and Hawaii lead charge against deep-sea mining of critical metals

LA Times  

Workers disembark from a research vessel in San Diego in 2021 after obtaining samples of soil, water and wildlife in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean. “Seabed mining is not safe and it’s destructive,” said California Assemblymember Luz Rivas, author of a 2022 law that bans the practice in state waters. “The transition away from hydrocarbons is like Day …

Scientists discover ‘dark’ oxygen being produced more than 13,000 feet below the ocean surface
5 months ago

Scientists discover ‘dark’ oxygen being produced more than 13,000 feet below the ocean surface

CNN  

Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. NERC Smartex project, SAMS, the Abyssline project, iAtlantic Sampling the seafloor Sweetman first made the unexpected observation that “dark” oxygen was being produced on the seafloor while assessing marine biodiversity in an area that’s earmarked for mining potato-size polymetallic nodules. NHMDeepSea Group/Natural History Museum, UK The pristine ecosystem, 16,400 feet below the …

African countries must make their voices heard on deep-sea mining
5 months ago

African countries must make their voices heard on deep-sea mining

Al Jazeera  

Africa stands at a pivotal moment where its decisions could profoundly influence the trajectory of the industry and the preservation of marine ecosystems. ISA, as a UN-affiliated institution, was established in the 1990s to ensure that developing countries would benefit financially from deep-sea mining when/if it starts, ensuring equity in the benefits derived from global commons. Moreover, new technologies, resource-efficient …

UN body that regulates the deep sea tackles proposed mining code amid growing concerns
5 months, 1 week ago

UN body that regulates the deep sea tackles proposed mining code amid growing concerns

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Tense deliberations over how and …

UN body that regulates the deep sea tackles proposed mining code amid growing concerns
5 months, 1 week ago

UN body that regulates the deep sea tackles proposed mining code amid growing concerns

Associated Press  

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Tense deliberations over how and if to allow deep sea mining unfolded Monday in Jamaica as at least one company threatened to apply for permission before rules and regulations are in place. More than two dozen countries have called for a ban, pause or moratorium on deep sea mining — including most recently Peru and …

Deep sea mining threatens sea life, environmentalists say. California law has a solution
6 months ago

Deep sea mining threatens sea life, environmentalists say. California law has a solution

LA Times  

As diplomats from around the world convene in Jamaica next month to discuss international guidelines on deep sea mining, environmental activists are urging nations to consider a California law they say could mitigate the need to destroy fragile ocean ecosystems. Now, mining companies such as Canada’s the Metals Co., want to bring their deep sea harvesters or subsea collectors to …

Instead of Mining the Deep Sea, Maybe People Should Just Fix Stuff
6 months, 1 week ago

Instead of Mining the Deep Sea, Maybe People Should Just Fix Stuff

Wired  

A new report by environmental groups lays out a case for banning deep sea mining—and explains why the real solution to humanity’s energy crisis might just be sitting in the trash. Deep sea mining is the pursuit of rare, valuable minerals that lie undisturbed upon the ocean floor—metals like nickel, cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements. There has been a …

Norway poised to pioneer controversial deep-sea mining amid environmental concerns
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Norway poised to pioneer controversial deep-sea mining amid environmental concerns

Firstpost  

Norway is on the brink of becoming the world’s first country to embrace large-scale deep-sea mining, as a parliamentary vote on Tuesday is expected to greenlight the controversial initiative. Walter Sognnes, co-founder of Norwegian mining company Loke Minerals, acknowledges the need for extensive exploration and mapping activities before mining begins, emphasising a commitment to understanding the deep ocean’s environmental impact. …

Norway parliament agrees to open Arctic Ocean to seabed mining
1 year ago

Norway parliament agrees to open Arctic Ocean to seabed mining

Firstpost  

As a significant oil and gas producer, Norway aims to explore the ocean floor for minerals crucial for renewable energy technologies, a controversial practice due to its potential impact on marine ecosystems Norway’s government announced on Tuesday an agreement with the opposition parties to permit mining in parts of its seabed, a move that has triggered backlash from environmentalists. As …

Environmental groups reject deep-sea mining as key UN meeting looms
1 year, 1 month ago

Environmental groups reject deep-sea mining as key UN meeting looms

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Countries at loggerheads over the future of deep sea mining
1 year, 4 months ago

Countries at loggerheads over the future of deep sea mining

The Hindu  

Nations opposed to deep sea mineral mining and those in favour of exploiting the oceans' depths butted heads in Jamaica on Wednesday, with both sides arguing their position would help protect the planet. Around twenty countries, including France, have asked for a "precautionary pause" on deep sea mining, and have recently gained some political momentum. Explained | What is India’s …

Deep-sea mining could impact tuna fisheries: study
1 year, 5 months ago

Deep-sea mining could impact tuna fisheries: study

The Hindu  

Deep-sea mining could interfere with migration of tuna that is expected to be driven by climate change to areas of the Pacific Ocean currently slated for mining activity, a study released on Tuesday showed. Deep-sea mining will only add to this uncertainty, further threatening tuna species and associated fisheries.” Potentially impacting the fish would be plumes of sediment stirred up …

Explained | What is deep sea mining and what are the concerns related to the industry?
1 year, 5 months ago

Explained | What is deep sea mining and what are the concerns related to the industry?

The Hindu  

The story so far: The two-year deadline for the International Seabed Authority to finalise deep-sea mining rules, set in 2021, has ended. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the extraction of mineral resources from the ocean below 200 metres is called deep sea mining. Seabed ecosystems are not yet fully explored, and depleting terrestrial deposits amid an …

Deep sea mining permits may be coming soon. What are they and what might happen?
1 year, 5 months ago

Deep sea mining permits may be coming soon. What are they and what might happen?

Associated Press  

JAKARTA, Indonesia — The International Seabed Authority — the United Nations body that regulates the world’s ocean floor — is preparing to resume negotiations that could open the international seabed for mining, including for materials critical for the green energy transition. Here’s a look at what deep sea mining is, why some companies and countries are applying for permits to …

Biodiversity: Deep-sea mining will be 25 times as bad as mining on land
1 year, 5 months ago

Biodiversity: Deep-sea mining will be 25 times as bad as mining on land

The Hindu  

Extracting minerals from the ocean floor could negatively impact biodiversity on a scale of up to 25 times greater than land-based mining, and fixing the damage would cost twice as much as extraction, a new report said on Thursday. Deep-sea mining would extract cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese from potato-sized nodules which pepper the sea floor at depths of 4-6 …

Norway proposes opening its waters to deep sea mining, says minerals needed in green transition
1 year, 6 months ago

Norway proposes opening its waters to deep sea mining, says minerals needed in green transition

Associated Press  

HELSINKI — Norway said Tuesday it wants to open parts of the Norwegian continental shelf for commercial deep sea mining in line with the country’s strategy to seek new economic opportunities and reduce its reliance on the oil and gas industry. Terje Aasland, Norway’s minister for petroleum and energy, said in a statement the country needs minerals to help transition …

The main players in the push towards deep-sea mining
1 year, 8 months ago

The main players in the push towards deep-sea mining

The Hindu  

Opponents of deep-sea mining are mobilising to stop a United Nations body from issuing the first licenses for the controversial practice later this year, saying not enough is known about the seabed environment or the impact that mining could have on marine ecosystems. The Canada-based company has downplayed concerns about the environmental impact of seabed mining, saying that the collection …

UN body mulls deep sea mining amid demand for minerals
1 year, 8 months ago

UN body mulls deep sea mining amid demand for minerals

Associated Press  

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Pressure is mounting on an obscure U.N. body based in Jamaica to hit pause on plans to potentially open the world’s deep seas to mining as companies push for permission to extract metals from seabeds in international waters. The International Seabed Authority on Friday closed two weeks’ worth of negotiations without approving rules and regulations …

The looming threat of deep-sea mining
1 year, 9 months ago

The looming threat of deep-sea mining

BBC  

The looming threat of deep-sea mining The Metals Company Machinery to collect polymetallic nodules from the ocean floor has been deployed in tests, but not yet commercially in the international seabed A new international treaty aims to support protection of the high seas – what will this mean for deep-sea mining? Getty Images Deep-sea mining has been opposed by environmentalists, …

Hunt for deep sea minerals draws scrutiny amid green push
2 years, 1 month ago

Hunt for deep sea minerals draws scrutiny amid green push

Associated Press  

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — High demand for metals ranging from copper to cobalt is pushing the mining industry to explore the world’s deepest oceans, a troubling development for scientists who warn that extracting minerals from critical ecosystems that help regulate climate could cause irreparable damage. The issue will be in spotlight this week as dozens of scientists, lawyers and …

The world is set to debate seabed mining regulations, but the U.S. will be on the outside looking in
2 years, 9 months ago

The world is set to debate seabed mining regulations, but the U.S. will be on the outside looking in

Politico  

The U.S. is in jeopardy of being left at the starting gate because it has not ratified the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, a requirement to be a member of the ISA. “There’s certainly a risk in getting left behind in the negotiations,” said Andrew Friedman, an associate manager at Pew Charitable Trusts focused on seabed mining. …

Deep-sea mining rules to be fast-tracked in push from Nauru
3 years, 5 months ago

Deep-sea mining rules to be fast-tracked in push from Nauru

The Hindu  

The government of Nauru plans to ask the International Seabed Authority next week to fast-track the adoption of seabed mining regulations, a source with direct knowledge told Reuters on Friday, in a sign of growing pressure to launch the controversial new industry. The so-called "two-year rule" would compel the ISA to allow seabed mining to go ahead within two years, …

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