Nations Gather To Negotiate Deep Sea Mining Code As Opposition Grows

The United Nations' International Seabed Authority (ISA) has begun meeting to consider new rules allowing firms to extract minerals from the ocean floor, despite mounting concerns about the economic and environmental risks, David Stanway reported for Reuters.

The 36-member ISA council is negotiating the latest draft of a long-awaited "mining code," designed to regulate the exploration and extraction of "polymetallic nodules" and other deposits on the ocean floor. I Photo: Global Sea Mineral Resources

Supporters say deep sea mining will help boost supplies of raw materials like cobalt and nickel, which are needed for the global energy transition, but critics say it could destroy ecosystems and disrupt migratory routes.

As many as 27 countries are calling for at least a temporary halt of activities, and Hawaii last week became the fourth Pacific U.S. state to issue a comprehensive ban.

Meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, until July 26, the 36-member ISA council is negotiating the latest draft of a long-awaited "mining code," designed to regulate the exploration and extraction of "polymetallic nodules" and other deposits on the ocean floor.

"I think it will become very clear at this session that there is still a long way to go," said Pradeep Singh, an ocean governance specialist at Germany's Potsdam Institute, saying that countries were still divided over the final text.

Many are concerned the code is being rushed through without proper scrutiny and want to slow the process down, Singh said.

While many are concerned about environmental risks, others are also looking for clarity about how proceeds from deep sea mining will eventually be shared.

The rush to complete the mining code was triggered by the Pacific island state of Nauru, which is expected to submit a mining license application on behalf of Canada's The Metals Company (TMC) later this year, regardless of whether or not regulations are complete.