How can you mitigate risks associated with deep-sea mining?

Pros of Deep-Sea Mining: Resource Extraction: Access to valuable minerals critical for clean energy technologies. Economic Benefits: Job creation and revenue generation for countries. Reduced Land Impact: Potential to lessen environmental harm from terrestrial mining. Cons of Deep-Sea Mining: Environmental Damage: Risk to deep-sea ecosystems, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss. Water Pollution: Release of sediments and chemicals, noise, and light pollution. Unknown Consequences: Lack of understanding of deep-sea ecosystem impacts. Regulatory Challenges: Incomplete international regulations for sustainable practices. Balancing economic gains with environmental risks requires cautious management and robust regulation.

This is how I think it can be done considering environmental issues and impacts. My views are more text book relayed, though and term the process: Hazards and Mitigation in Deep Sea Mining Deep sea mining presents challenges like environmental impact, pressure, mining residues, and navigational risks. These include ecosystem damage, equipment strain, pollution risks, and collision dangers. Mitigation involves rigorous environmental monitoring, innovative technology for extreme conditions, efficient waste management, and advanced navigation systems. Through effective strategies, deep sea mining can be conducted with minimal hazards and sustainable practices.

Mining in general is a wasting asset and not compatible with the environment. Deep sea mining holds serious and irreversible consequences for not only the ocean life as we know it, but for humanity existence in general.

One thing I've found helpful to provide a broader perspective on the type of marine life found in areas of interest will be to conduct comprehensive assessments of potential ecological impacts before starting operations. I agree that baseline studies need to be done so the negative impacts can be minimised.

For any Project, the understanding of the baseline is critical, for all aspects will use these observations & results as the reference point to determine direct and indirect, immediate & delayed influences. Our understanding of the 'environment' may be seen as both parallel and inverse to the Mesopelagic region. (>200 metres depth). Kinematic and the Hydrodynamic influences are both amplified and minimised due to the medium & the density gradients. Uncontrolled energy has transient 'seasonal' & interminable effects, be it sound, heat, light, magnetic & even altering localised dynamic fluid pathways that may affect the micro & macro biome. Look, see, check, plan & CONSULT. Access the skills from other industries as this is 'not just mining'.

To me it is reasonable to think that the environment is also a key stakeholder in the world and some aspect of this should be included in discussions of the pros and cons of mining the sea-floor at both national and international levels. For governments and companies, it is very easy to be swayed by the rhetoric that the world needs to accelerate the mining of 'green' metals to be able to facilitate a carbon revolution. If many materials become included in this claim then the real result will simply be a greater economy and more use of materials and increased impact on the environment overall. Mines are 'where you find them' and some locations should not be mined even though the minerals are present.

The key priority is to minimise the social and legal impacts on stakeholders some of whom have lived there for generations. A well balanced presentation or outlook of the benefits and the risks associated with deep sea mining will put into perspective what the project impact can be and what mitigating actions the company and all stakeholders need to take in collaboration to reduce negative impacts on the area of concern

In project management, meeting with stakeholders involved is very important....i want to believe talking matters over the owners of water ways would go a long way. They should come to an agreement before the mining operation starts. They should arrive at common ground that will encourage mining in the water ways. This inclusive there consent encompassing major contribution in the operation.

A strong & robust mechanism of 'leasing', albeit divided into varying classifications (prospecting, exploration, mining) supported by appropriate governance will determine the progress of any Project through transparent Independent Project Reviews (IPR's) and Stage Gate controls. The flaw is the possibility of stacking illiterate, inumerate and unskilled members who are unable to control their various 'bias' in assessing the proposal and the volumes of technical data/information. Jurisdiction limits will require flexibility to meet the direct and indirect transient influences of physical & remote observations. Are we prepared and willing to include our 'neighbours'? Where do you, your business & your Government sit on the 'Maturity Curve?

creo que la mineria es un mal mayor dentro de las comodidades del ser humano, digo esto con mucha responsabilidad de conciencia, ya que tenemos solo 1 y solo un habitat para respirar criar, cultivar y aprovechar los recursos naturales que nos da la ?uke mapu(madre tierra), el ego del ser humano y la ambicion de poder les reconforta a sacar mineral, co o el oro por pura y neta vanidad, diamantes para vanidad, petroleos y sus derivados para hogarnos con el humo o monoxido de carbono, en fin este mundo esta cada dia de mal en peor

I fully agree that the risks of sending personnel down into the sea to mine at depths of 200m is very risky. I would suggest that remote operated equipment be initially used and as the project progresses, work can be done to see where we can use personnel where possible

At this point, It seems like the most likely candidate for deep-sea mining will be for metallic nodules that form on the sea-floor at depths. It seems likely that the first mining of the ocean will mimic methods that the fishing industry has used, but perhaps at greater scale. Large scrapers would be used; pulled by ships to scrape metallic nodules from the sea-floor. These nodules often contain manganese and often other metals like cobalt, copper, and nickel. To be accomplished this and recover metals at a commercial scale, this method would need to be done over a large area. As this would impact both national and international waters, it will be important for multiple stakeholders to work together.

I also agree to this point. I would suggest the use of robot for mining operation to safe lives that might not be able to work under such condition. The robots I think should be subject to simulation from a common operation ground. This will encourage mining.

Our environment is harsh, in any location...space, surface, underground or subsea. The Heirachy of Controls is applicable in this instance, like any other Hazard Identification and Risk Mitigation process. The key point is an 'agreed' acceptable level of 'risk'. What are 'we', you, our Government's prepared to accept as an 'acceptable level of risk.' This is to be a facilitated process, with a cross section of all technology and process owners. Let us not 'experiment' with unproven technologies in the first instance...plan, check, do and measure. From these points, controlled introduction of 'optimised' technologies may be introduced in a controlled and monitored fashion.

What is clearly missing here is the definition of “deep-sea.” The conditions at 200m below sea level are significantly different to those at 300m below the surface. In addition, there seems to be no consideration regarding the location relative to harbours, river mouths, seaside cities, and the like.

All mining is 'risky'. The feasibility of any project will include tangible and intangible influences on known and unknown hazards. The pioneers will make mistakes, they will exceed their budgets and they will, if they are 'sophisticated', learn from these experiences. The optimal outcome will be in the application of effective 'change managment' in response to the performance and results. The subsea mining community must be transparent and collaborative in progess reporting, which shall support the confidence of 'strategic investors'. A regular and thorough review of all studies, concept, pre feasibility, feasibility study forecasts etc. will refine and define decisions implemented in the practical Project execution, optimising the ROI.

Since deep sea mining is still in its startup stage, the costs associated with this type of project is still under research. So it is a very risky project for investors to invest in given the many unknowns out there . The key is to heavily invest in research to understand potential long term impacts and provide innovative solutions to mitigate the risks and get investors to invest

A thorough analysis and forecast needs to be done to mitigate economic challenges. A project like this should be base on R&D before integrating this model on a larger scale to be referred to as an industry. I want to believe that if it is a mineral not so profound on earth subsurface, these material should be regulated fro economic purpose.

My concern with financial viability is the very real risk of some group/organisation starting up and operation, and failing financially and simply walking away from the project and leaving a mess for someone else to clean it up. How many hundreds of tailings dams have been abandoned across the globe due to financial failure, and the local community or the local environment has been left with a significant problem? I can see the same thing happening here.

An ethical issue is an issue of utmost concern. Ethical attitude is a relative term that depends on different communities. I think before I'm backing on this project ethical impact assessment needs to be done on community concerns. This should also come with a generally defined approach to the project.

People everywhere want to know and understand how their lives will be impacted if such projects start. It is of paramount importance to conduct a comprehensive social impact study before any decision is made. This report must be made known to people in the impact region including all stakeholders

Deep-sea mining requires a combination of knowledge and expertise from different disciplines, such as geology, engineering, oceanography, biology, law, and economics A sixth risk of deep-sea mining is the lack of qualified and skilled personnel to work in this emerging and multidisciplinary field , It also requires a continuous learning and improvement process, as new discoveries and challenges arise

There is an old adage in the world of mining that 'mines are where you find them'. This means that the specific location where you find a mine is because of the specific details of the geology there and this includes the minerals, the geometry of the lithology (rock types) and the local and specific environment. One gold mine does not necessarily look like another right next door and gold mines are often not like copper mines, nor limestone quarries, nor like potential methods of recovering materials from the sea-floor like trawling or dredging. It seems likely that deep-sea mining will be accomplished in some areas but not others and both national and international over-sight will be required.