Deep-sea Mining: The Intense Debate on the Bottom of the Ocean
Thirty-three states urge a "cautious halt" or "temporary halt" in deep-sea mining operations
Dive deep into the contentious waters of deep-sea mining, where Europe, America, and the Pacific are calling for a pause in its environmentally harmful practices at the United Nations Ocean Conference.
Cries to halt – at least temporarily – the destructive impact of deep-sea mining echoed loudly at the conference, with 30 signatory states advocating for action. France led the charge, stating that the seabed, host to a vast, unexplored biodiversity, needs protection. Germany joined the movement, echoing the sentiments of countries pushing for a pause.
According to the Le Monde's report, these resources beyond national boundaries are considered the common heritage of all humanity. The exploitation of deep-sea minerals in areas outside national jurisdiction could violate international law, the signatories insisted, taking a dig at the United States.
President Trump had signed a decree in April encouraging the exploration of valuable metals like nickel and cobalt in both national and international waters. Advocating for the U.S. economy's access to billions of tons of minerals, the White House didn't shy away from highlighting thousands of undiscovered species dwelling in the deep sea. The seabed also plays a crucial role in carbon capture and climate change mitigation, the signatories pointed out, cautioning the potential risk of heavy metals infiltrating the food chain.
While France leans towards a full ban, Germany favors a tentative stop. German Environment Minister, Carsten Schneider, discussed the mounting pressure for seabed exploitation and emphasized the need for stringent environmental regulations in the upcoming Mining Code in the coming years.
Deep-sea mining in international waters falls under the responsibility of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), an entity established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). As of mid-2025, the regulatory framework is still under discussion, and no commercial mining operations have been initiated.
Environmental concerns are at the forefront of many ISA member states, which argue that the science is clear – deep-sea mining poses significant risks to marine ecosystems and calls for a precautionary approach without adequate safeguards. The United States, however, continues to push an unilateral approach and expedite deep-sea mining permits both domestically and abroad – a move that has garnered criticism from the international community and raised legal and environmental questions.
Environmentally conscious nations like the European Union and Germany advocate for robust safeguards and a cautious approach to deep-sea mining, reflecting the need for responsible stewardship in the preservation of our planet's ocean treasures.
Underneath the waves, the struggle for ocean protection continues to unfold, as dialogue evolves and consensus on sustainable practices is slowly forged.
- The European Union and Germany are advocating for a policy-and-legislation that emphasizes robust safeguards and a cautious approach to deep-sea mining, aligning with the environmental-science and climate-change concerns related to this activity.
- The debate over deep-sea mining underlines the potential conflict between the need for vocational training in the extraction of valuable minerals like nickel and cobalt (vocational training) and the preservation of the environment (environmental-science).
- The controversy surrounding deep-sea mining also includes discussions in politics, as decisions regarding resource exploration and exploitation influence the economy (politics) and general-news as the impact of these decisions on the environment is publicized.
