33 Countries Cry for Pause on Deep-Sea Mining: A Global Concern
Thirty-three states propose a temporary halt in deep-sea mining activities. - Thirty-three states urge a "cautious halt" in deep-sea mining activities.
Let's dive in!
Full steam ahead? Not so fast! The UN Ocean Conference in Nice saw representatives from 33 countries demanding a halt on deep-sea mining activities, due to potential environmental hazards and the unknown impact on marine ecosystems.
In the early days of the conference, a joint declaration emphasized the principle that minerals on the seabed outside national waters belong to all humanity. Mining beyond national jurisdiction, stated the signatories, would give a severe legal blow to international law, as underscored by the USA.
Donald Trump, the current US President, had previously signed an executive order to allow the mining of valuable minerals like nickel and cobalt in domestic and international waters. The White House declared that billions of tons of precious minerals could be within reach for the U.S. economy.
The deep sea is a treasure trove for thousands of exotic species and critical eco-systems that are yet undiscovered. These unique habitats and the seabeds' role as a CO2 sink make it crucial in climate change mitigation efforts. Concerns have been raised that harmful heavy metals from mining could contaminate the food chain and disrupt the balance of marine life.
While France advocated for a complete ban on deep-sea mining, Germany called for a precautionary pause. With the growing pressure on international deep-sea resources, Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider urged the need for strict environmental regulations during negotiations on the 'Mining Code' in the years to come.
Deep-sea mining companies have been eager to tap into the riches of the seabed, where resources such as copper, iron, and rare earths exist in the form of manganese nodules. Currently, there are no international rules for the possible mining of these nodules.
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Key Insights:
- The International Seabed Authority (ISA), an organization under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is the key regulatory body tasked with organizing, regulating, and controlling all mineral-related activities in the international seabed area.
- UNCLOS mandates that any deep-sea mining activities must adhere to strict standards and regulations to ensure the protection of humankind's common heritage, marine environment, and the global good.
- Growing international support calls for a precautionary approach or moratorium on deep-sea mining until regulations are established and environmental risks are accounted for.
- Controversy surrounds unilateral actions taken by nations, such as the USA, that may contradict the ISA's regulatory framework and undermine the international deep-sea mining regime.
- The United States, represented by President Donald Trump, has shown interest in deep-sea mining activities through an executive order, seeking valuable minerals like nickel and cobalt, which could have a severe impact on international law if mined beyond national jurisdiction.
- The European Union, through Germany, has advocated for a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining, in response to concerns regarding potential environmental hazards and the impact on marine ecosystems.
- In the midst of this global concern, France has pushed for a complete ban on deep-sea mining, while the international community, including the European Union, calls for stricter environmental regulations during negotiations on the 'Mining Code.'
- The lack of international rules for the possible mining of manganese nodules and other resources in the deep sea has prompted controversy, especially in light of unilateral actions like those taken by the United States, which may contradict the regulations established by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
