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PERSPECTIVES: Why we should pay more attention to deep-sea mining

by Khadija Stewart
May 1, 2023
in Caribbean, Mining, Policy & Governance, Wildlife
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PERSPECTIVES: Why we should pay more attention to deep-sea mining
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Perspectives is an ongoing series by the Cari-Bois Environmental News Network which aims to give Caribbean scientists, explorers and nature enthusiasts the platform to share their experiences. This latest piece was written by Khadija Stewart, Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) Caribbean Regional Representative. Khadija has been attending meetings by the International Seabed Authority in Jamaica on the issue of deep-sea mining.  

Even though the deep sea accounts for more than half of the earth’s surface, it remains largely unexplored with scientists knowing more about the moon. 

The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defines any part of the ocean below 200 metres (656 feet) as the deep sea and at this point, sunlight begins to fade. 

Despite the absence of light, the deep sea contains an array of species which have evolved to produce their own light and survive the extreme conditions. 

In the deep sea, researchers have also found various geological features like abyssal plains (at depths of 3,500–6,500 m), seamounts, underwater volcanoes, hydrothermal vents and deep trenches like the Mariana Trench.

While greater research is needed to better understand the deep sea, researchers overtime have discovered a vast array of deep-sea ecosystems which are home to unique species. Given the deep sea is biodiverse, there have been calls to pause any deep-sea mining projects until the effects of the looming industry are better known. This colony of Giant Tube Worms was photographed 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres) below the ocean’s surface, on the East Pacific Rise near the Galapagos Islands, by National Geographic Photographer Emory Kristof. (Photo Courtesy Emory Kristof of National Geographic)

An introduction to deep-sea mining

With efforts underway to start deep-sea mining activities, environmental bodies and civil society organisations – including the IUCN, the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) and the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition – have expressed concerns about the looming industry’s potential effects on marine ecosystems and species.

Deep-sea mining is the process of extracting mineral deposits like polymetallic nodules, polymetallic sulfides, and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts from the deep seabed at ocean depths greater than 200m. 

These metals are used to manufacture batteries, smartphones, laptops, electric cars, photovoltaic systems and other types of power storage. 

A section of a sulphide sample, obtained during the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate’s (NPD) expedition to the Mohns Ridge in the Norwegian Sea in 2020. The Norwegian Government has decided to initiate an opening process for mineral activities on the Norwegian continental shelf. (Photo Courtesy Norwegian Petroleum Directorate)

To extract some of these minerals, remote-controlled cutting and drilling tools will be required. But to extract others, a collection vehicle will be required. 

Once collected, these materials will be piped to a collection vessel on the water’s surface. 

From there, the minerals are processed and transported to land while the remaining sediments are released back into the water which some researchers predict will create an underwater “dust storm” with the potential to disturb deep sea life. 

Potential impacts from deep-sea mining: doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2011914117 (Photo Courtesy Amanda Dillon from Drazen et al. 2020)

Is deep-sea mining necessary?

There are schools of thought which suggest the minerals sourced from deep-sea mining are needed to manufacture green technology as the availability of these minerals sourced land mining have dwindled. 

Estimates have valued the looming deep-sea mining industry at USD$2-20 billion. 

But it is fair to question if deep-sea mining will only contribute to the myriad of threats facing the ocean and affect the wider ocean economy. 

Overtime, environmental issues like overfishing, climate change and pollution have stressed the health and well-being of oceans. 

Environmental circles have raised concerns that deep-sea mining will only add to these existing pressures. 

Environmental bodies and advocates are concerned that deep-sea mining will only add to existing pressures which are facing the world’s oceans. (Photo Courtesy Sergei Tokmakov, Esq. https://Terms.Law from Pixabay)

Are guardrails in place to properly manage deep-sea mining?

Overtime, extractive industries like fracking have shown that once a technology becomes commercially viable – and has the backing of both powerful industrial lobbies and national governments – it can be challenging to then create and enforce guardrails to sustainably manage their activities. 

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is currently hosting negotiations at its base in Kingston, Jamaica, to  develop the rules and regulations that would govern the deep-sea mining industry. 

The ISA is an autonomous organisation established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to organize, regulate, and control seabed mining. 

As such, the body is tasked with the responsibility of managing the extraction of mineral resources on the seafloor in areas beyond national jurisdictions (ABNJ). 

Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) Caribbean Regional Representative, Khadija Stewart, from Trinidad and Tobago has been attending meetings by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Jamaica to amplify youth voices and lead SOA Caribbean’s call to stop deep-sea mining. (Photo by Khadija Stewart)

The ISA is mandated by Article 145 and 162 of the UNCLOS to prevent ‘serious harm’ and ensure the ‘effective protection of the marine environment’ from harmful effects, which may occur from seabed-mining activities.

If the current regulations by the ISA are approved and adopted, it will give the green light to deep-sea mining as soon as this year. 

However, environmental bodies and groups are calling for more scientific research, and environmental impact assessments, to be conducted on the looming industry. 

On March 16, 2023, The Council of the International Seabed Authority opened the meetings of Part I of its 28th session. The Council met for 12 days until 31 March 2023. The main item on the agenda of the Council was the draft regulations on deep-sea mining. (Photo Courtesy The International Seabed Authority)

Advocacy efforts for more research on deep-sea mining 

In 2021, the island nation of Nauru triggered a treaty provision known as the “two-year rule” which calls on the ISA to finalise and adopt regulations for deep seabed mining within two years (July 9, 2023). 

While there are pro deep-sea mining countries like Nauru, there has also been a groundswell in the number of countries calling for a more measured approach. 

In the past several months, 14 countries including the Dominican Republic have formally called for a precautionary pause or moratorium on deep-sea mining. 

These countries join over 700 marine science, and policy experts, calling for the same and France which is calling for a total ban. 

More than 100 non-governmental organisations like the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF), have also come together under the umbrella of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition in support of this movement.

The Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) Caribbean group has joined a growing number of calls demanding that better research is done before any deep-sea mining activities begin. (Photo Courtesy SOA Caribbean)

Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica sit on the ISA council but have yet to join the growing call for a precautionary pause. 

The most recent council meeting held from March 16 – 31, 2023, focused on negotiating the exploitation regulations and discussing the outcome of the two-year rule which was triggered by Nauru.  

For some, the meeting was disappointing because the Council did not make as much progress on the issue as desired.

As negotiations continue, the world continues to be in a unique position to better understand the risks of deep-sea mining before it starts. 

On March 31, 2023, The Council of the International Seabed Authority closed Part I of its meetings for the 28th Session. The Council met in person for twelve days. A total of 30 of the 36 Members of the Council were in attendance, along with 22 ISA Members (non-Council Members) and 15 observers. The main item on the agenda was the draft regulations on deep-sea mining. (Photo Courtesy The International Seabed Authority)

Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) Caribbean’s position on deep-sea mining

“We are already in a triple planetary crisis as we deal with the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, we must err on the side of caution and truly assess greenlighting  another extractive industry that can potentially have perilous consequences to ocean health.”

 Sweelan Renaud, Social Media and Communications Manager, SOA Caribbean.

As the SOA’s Caribbean Regional Representative, I (Khadija Stewart) have been attending the ISA’s meetings in Jamaica to amplify youth voices and call for a stop to deep-sea mining. 

As the only Caribbean youth representative present at the ISA, I have communicated the need for a precautionary pause and reminded the meetings delegated that the region’s youth are watching their decisions. 

At the meetings, I have repeated the importance of taking preventative actions to ensure that no mining applications are approved this year, next year, or at any time, until there is enough science and assurance that the marine environment will be protected. 

As July looms, and so do a decision on the future of deep-sea mining, it is imperative that more Caribbean leaders attend the ISA meetings and join the call for a moratorium.

“The ocean is worth more than just the value of its finite resources. The long-term benefits of a healthy ocean far outweigh any short-term incentives offered by deep seabed mining. Opening up this new frontier for extraction would destabilize delicate ocean ecosystems and fatally undermine the foundations of a circular economy”

Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) Caribbean
Tags: Deep-Sea MiningOcean GovernancePolicy and Governance
Khadija Stewart

Khadija Stewart

Ms. Khadija Stewart is an ocean and climate specialist from Trinidad and Tobago using innovative storytelling as a catalyst to raise awareness and mobillise behaviour change. She holds an MSc in Climate Change and Development from SOAS University of London as well as a second MSc in Sustainable Development and Management Studies from Kingston University London. Throughout her environmental journey, Ms. Stewart has represented Trinidad and Tobago at the 8th World Water Forum with the World Youth Parliament for Water in 2018, at the Peace Boat Ocean and Climate Youth Ambassador Program in 2019, at the Our Ocean Youth Leadership Summit in Oslo with Sustainable Ocean Alliance also in 2019, at the UN Ocean Conference in 2022 and at the Our Ocean Conference in Panama 2023. Ms. Stewart is also the founder of EcoVybz Environmental Creatives, a company focused on opening access to environmental knowledge, building young leaders and developing impactful environmental content creation centered on Climate Change, Ocean Conservation and Water Resources. Some examples of her work include the Caribbean Ocean Perspectives E-Magazine and the Thinking Beyond The Tides capacity-building workshop series. Ms. Stewart is also the host of the EcoVybz Podcast and the Caribbean Regional Representative for Sustainable Ocean Alliance working on Deep Sea Mining.

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