What Is Deep-Sea Mining and Why Does It Matter?

You’re about to jump into a deep dive into one of the greatest marine conservation battles of today’s generation: Deep-Sea Mining (DSM).

A Deep Dive on Deep-Sea Mining

Deep-sea mining is a destructive, emerging industry. We must prevent its establishment at all costs.

Efforts are being led by major mining corporations—most notably, The Metals Company —eager to extract minerals (like copper, manganese, cobalt, and nickel) from the deep seafloor.

As of now, deep-sea exploration has been allowed, but actual resource extraction on a commercial scale has not begun, despite pending contracts to do so. And we unequivocally need to prevent that eventuality.

The narrative being spun by corporations with a vested interest is that extracted minerals will be used to scale up EV battery production and thus, that the practice is “planet-positive.”

Make no mistake, this is intentional greenwashing to excuse the exploitation of the deep sea.?

After all, recent studies indicate the need for these minerals will decrease greatly over the coming decades, as new tech emerges.?

Meanwhile, the science is clear that the costs of deep-sea mining far outweigh the benefits.

Among the many ecological threats of deep-sea mining, scientists and environmental advocates are extremely concerned about its potential to release carbon into the environment that is currently locked away on the ocean floor. And we all know that we do not need any more carbon being released into the environment.

We also know it would disrupt the deep-sea ecosystem (so little of which has even been discovered), which is the largest habitat for life on Earth.

Lastly, the expected plumes of sediments that would be released could severely harm marine life in the deep sea and across the food chain.

From a legal perspective, deep-sea mining is not even allowed. The Pew Charitable Trusts just commissioned an independent legal opinion written by four eminent international law experts.?

The conclusion was released in June 2023, and finds that pausing efforts to begin deep-sea mining is required by international law, for three primary reasons:?

1. Limited scientific research
2. Lack of a deep-sea mining regulatory framework
3. The International Seabed Authority ’s limited institutional capacity for governance and oversight

Given the ocean of evidence against this practice, Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) has been activating young ocean leaders across the globe to #DefendTheDeep and say NO to deep-sea mining as we amplify our shared perspective:

We must protect the deep sea, our last, pristine environment on Earth.

Who Decides if Deep-Sea Mining Gets Approved?

The key governing body to monitor and regulate the deep sea is the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

The ISA is an autonomous international organization that was formed in 1982 after the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Based in Kingston, Jamaica, the ISA is mandated to ensure “marine environments are protected from harmful, deep-sea mining-related effects.”

Despite this mandate, the ISA has awarded dozens of licenses for exploration, many of which would also hypothetically allow for extraction in the coming years.

What progress has been made to prevent Deep-Sea Mining?

In light of these developments, SOA and our network of advocates and partner organizations across the globe are continually advocating against deep-sea mining.

Collectively, we have already made meaningful progress , with now 17 member-states having taken official positions against deep-sea mining in international waters–from precautionary pauses to moratoriums and an all-out ban.

Most recently, Ireland called for a precautionary pause of deep-sea mining on July 4, 2023. This means no deep-sea mining should take place “until such time as a robust regulatory framework is in place to protect the marine environment and the scientific knowledge base is sufficient to allow for informed decision making.”

In June 2023, Sweden and Switzerland both announced moratoriums against deep-sea mining. The official stance of these countries is that “a temporary suspension of an activity or law until future consideration warrants lifting the suspension.”

In January 2023, the French parliament voted to completely ban deep-sea mining in their nation’s jurisdiction, after President Emmanuel Macron became the first head of state to call for a complete ban on deep-sea mining in November 2022.?

In 2022, Congressman Ed Málaga of Peru made history by calling for Latin America’s first deep-sea mining moratorium.

This momentum is a clear signal to the ISA that informed opposition to deep-sea mining is gaining traction with world leaders ahead of the upcoming July Council and Assembly Meetings .

You can learn about the individual stances on deep-sea mining of ISA member countries with this helpful position tracker compiled by the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition .

How did Deep-Sea Mining Moratoriums, Precautionary Pauses, and a Ban come about?

All of this momentum and progress is thanks to the tireless actions of ocean advocates, global leaders, and organizations worldwide!

I’m proud to share that this includes many SOA youth leaders and the ongoing #LookDownAction campaign. Co-founded by SOA France Hub president @Anne-Sophie Roux and supported by SOA’s Grants Program, campaign efforts helped secure the French deep-sea mining ban.

Sweden and Switzerland were also on #LookDownAction 's target list of critical countries who might support a moratorium or ban with upcoming decisions on deep-sea mining at the ISA in July.

SOA proudly supported #LookDownAction 's World Oceans Day event on June 8 in the Swiss Capital and their petition (in partnership with Greenpeace International ) against deep-sea mining. After receiving over 25,000 signatures, it was submitted to the Swiss Government. Weeks later, Switzerland announced its moratorium on deep-sea mining.

The bill introduced by Congressman Ed Málaga was co-written by SOA’s Peru Hub and youth policy advisory council.

In addition, SOA has sent representatives to attend the crucial and important ISA Meetings held in Kingston, Jamaica—including the first ISA Meeting of 2023 (the 28th Session Council Meeting )—to continue our advocacy work on the ground.?

Our representatives will return to Kingston shortly to give a voice to the hundreds of thousands of global citizens and youth who stand against deep-sea mining. Their return aligns with the upcoming ISA Council and Assembly Meetings in July 2023.

What’s Next in the Fight to Prevent Deep-Sea Mining?

#LookDownAction 's strategic campaign efforts are now focused on key countries who are likely to support a moratorium or full ban during the upcoming July 2023 ISA Meetings, including: Belgium, Italy, Monaco, and the Netherlands.

The urgency with which we are campaigning against deep-sea mining is due to the “two-year rule ” — a legal clause that was triggered in July 2021 when the island state of Nauru announced its intentions to begin deep-sea mining for profit. Because of this, mining licenses could be issued as early as July 2023, even if the regulations are not finished.?

This rule means that the ISA must now finalize its rule book on mineral exploitation in the depths of the ocean or we risk deep-sea mining proceeding without environmental regulations.

The penultimate moment in this fight to protect the largest habitat on Earth will come this month (July 10-28, 2023) when ISA members gather to negotiate regulations for deep-sea mining and any associated guidelines.

If you’re interested in learning more, check out Part 1 and Part 2 of this discussion on deep-sea mining that I had the honor of moderating alongside SOA youth leaders Anne-Sophie Roux and Daniel Caceres at the COP15 UN Biodiversity Conference .

How You Can Help!

If you’re ready to take action here are a few steps you can take to prevent deep-sea mining:

Investors:

Divest from these deep-sea mining companies:

• The Metals Company , formerly known as DeepGreen
• UK Seabed Resources, acquired by Loke Marine Minerals from Lockheed Martin in March 2023
• Global Sea Mineral Resources

Ocean Advocates:

• Add your voice to our calls to #DefendTheDeep across social media by resharing our posts from Sustainable Ocean Alliance .
• Sign SOA’s Petition Against Deep-Sea Mining , in partnership with The Oxygen Project , Only One , and Deep Sea Conservation Coalition .
• Sign the Indigenous-Led Petition Against Deep Sea Mining with Blue Climate Initiative
• Participate in #LookDownAction 's online activations and toolkits.?
• Encourage your government and representatives to oppose the industry. More than a dozen exploration contracts issued by ISA are held by these countries: China, India, Japan, Russia, and South Korea.

Together, we can make a positive change for our ocean, and stop this destructive practice before it begins. – Daniela V. Fernandez