Deep-sea mining - The pressure is increasing at the Seabed Authority - The chief will be selected
After three years of unsuccessful international talks on regulating deep-sea mining, the situation is becoming serious. At the General Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) from Monday to Friday in Kingston, Germany will push for a fundamental principle to protect the marine environment before it's too late. Despite the concerns of numerous experts, The Metals Company (TMC) has announced that it will file an application for a deep-sea mining project this year.
In 2026, TMC plans to begin commercial mining of resources on the deep-sea floor in the Pacific Ocean. Since there is still no regulatory framework in place, it is unclear how such an application would be handled. The ISA Secretary-General could play a crucial role in this matter - his position is set to be voted on at the end of the five-day General Assembly.
Criticism of the Secretary-General
The incumbent Michael Lodge, who is running for a third four-year term, is viewed by some ISA member states as being too close to the industry. According to a report in the "New York Times", a former employee has accused him of misappropriating funds. The Brit allegedly also offered his opponent, Brazilian oceanographer Leticia Carvalho, a job at the ISA in exchange for her withdrawal from the election. Lodge denies all allegations.
At least 27 countries are demanding a ban, moratorium, or precautionary pause on deep-sea mining. They plan to bring up a fundamental principle for discussion at the General Assembly to prevent any applications from being processed until more is known about the environmental impacts.
Mangan Nodes are the target
Deep-sea mining primarily involves the extraction of so-called manganese nodes on the seabed, where no country has sovereignty but the ISA is responsible according to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Metals Company, which has enlisted the support of the island state of Nauru as a sponsor, plans to be active in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean between Mexico and Hawaii. The seabed lies there 4,000 to 6,000 meters below the surface.
Manganese nodes form over millions of years and contain resources like manganese, cobalt, copper, and nickel, which could be used in the production of batteries for electric cars, among other applications. TMC describes the manganese nodes as "batteries in a stone" that can only be sucked up from the seabed. They claim this is much less environmentally damaging than land mining.
Ecosystems at risk
Studies show serious threats to deep-sea ecosystems, such as sediment clouds and noise. "The majority of life on the seabed will be destroyed," says marine biologist Diva Amon from Trinidad in a briefing from the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC). The recovery time is so long that it represents a geological and not a human timescale.
The extent of the damage that can be expected is currently unclear, as the deep sea - the largest ecosystem on Earth - is still poorly explored. In 2023, a research team in the journal "Current Biology" estimated that there are 5,580 species living in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone - 90% of which are undescribed. And just a week ago, a research team reported in the journal "Nature Geoscience" that manganese nodes can generate oxygen.
Using minerals from the deep sea to solve the climate crisis is like smoking to reduce stress, according to Amon. Instead, deep-sea mining could worsen the crisis by disrupting the important function of the sea to absorb carbon and take in heat.
According to some experts, deep-sea mining is not necessary for the energy transition. With the technological development in battery production towards Lithium-Iron Phosphate Accumulators, the metals contained in manganese nodules will be used less and less, emphasizes Victor Vescovo, an explorer from the USA, in the DSCC briefing. Deep-sea mining is also not profitable due to underestimated costs and technical risks.
Greenpeace: Change in leadership at ISA necessary
However, it is soon to be expected with the application of The Metals Company. The ISA must fulfill its obligation to protect biodiversity in the deep sea, says Daniela Herrmann, Greenpeace marine expert. "For this reason, a new leadership and the generally proposed principle regulation for the protection of the marine environment are urgently needed." Lodge is not trustworthy.
- The proposed deep-sea mining project by The Metals Company (TMC) aims to commence commercial mining in the Pacific Ocean in 2026, focusing on manganese nodes.
- Despite concerns about environmental impacts, TMC plans to mine resources in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), which is 4,000 to 6,000 meters below the surface.
- Some experts argue that deep-sea mining is not necessary for the energy transition, as the use of metals contained in manganese nodules decreases with technological advancements in battery production.
- In the General Assembly of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), 27 countries are pushing for a ban, moratorium, or precautionary pause on deep-sea mining, citing the need for more information about its environmental impacts.
- Criticism of ISA Secretary-General Michael Lodge includes accusations of being too close to the industry and misappropriating funds, as reported in the "New York Times."
- Germany will advocate for a principle to protect the marine environment during the General Assembly, as concerns about deep-sea mining's impact on Pacific Ocean ecosystems become increasingly serious.
- Jamaica, along with other countries, is calling for a fundamental principle to prevent any deep-sea mining applications until more is known about the potential damage to deep-sea ecology, which is still largely unexplored.
