Norway Breaks Ground with Deep-Sea Mining
In a pioneering move, Norway has opened its continental shelf to commercial deep-sea mineral exploration, making it the first nation to do so. The proposal aims to mine sulphides and manganese crusts that boast high concentrations of copper, zinc, cobalt, and rare earth elements. However, this decision is not without controversy, as it raises legal and environmental concerns, challenging international agreements and the impact on biodiversity, ecosystems, fisheries, and pollution.
Addressing Global Dependence on Rare Earth Elements
Norway’s controversial decision to approve deep sea mining is seen as a necessary step to break China and Russia’s rare earths dominance. The approval of deep sea mining paves the way for companies to apply to mine in Norway’s national waters near the Svalbard archipelago, an area estimated to be larger than the U.K. at roughly 280,000 square kilometers. The government believes that sustainable collection of metals and minerals from the seabed could help facilitate the global transition away from fossil fuels, but environmental campaign groups have criticized the decision, calling it an extremely destructive process.
The Environmental Costs of Deep-Sea Mining
Despite the uncertain environmental impacts of deep sea mining, Norway’s Parliament approved a government plan to open a large part of its seabed to mining exploration. The decision to only allow exploration for the time being and not actual extraction offers a small glimmer of hope. The highly controversial move comes as opposition grows against seabed mining worldwide. The vote effectively opens 280,000 square kilometers of seabed to mining exploration, a gigantic area larger than the United Kingdom. The area contains the greatest biodiversity on Earth, with deep sea organisms like corals and sponges inhabiting the sea mounts and slopes.
Critics Weigh In
The decision has faced pushback from environmental groups and members of the fishing industry, who argue that there is insufficient research on the impact of deep sea mining on underexplored ecosystems. Critics also argue that the decision violates Norway’s national and international obligations and poses geopolitical risks to Europe’s northern Baltic regions. Scientists and environmentalists have expressed concerns about the potential impact on marine biodiversity and the lack of scientific evidence needed to assess the environmental impacts of future mining activities.
A Conflict of Interests
Despite international protests, Norway’s parliament has approved deep-sea mining on national waters, citing the need for critical elements essential to manufacturing clean technologies. The proposal will open up 280,000 sq km of national water for private companies to excavate for resources. However, there are concerns about the ecological implications of deep sea mining, with warnings of potential impact on the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide and marine life ecosystems. The conflict lies between short term versus long term industrial implications, with the need to consider improving existing systems that can reap the full benefits of underutilized recyclable resources rather than tapping into new ones.
The Way Forward
While the move to deep-sea mining is viewed by some as a bold step towards a greener future, others see it as a potential threat to the preservation of marine ecosystems. As society continues to grapple with the need for sustainable energy sources and the importance of biodiversity, the future of deep-sea mining and its role in the global economy remains uncertain. The debate also raises questions about the role of technology in addressing sustainability issues. It is vital for the global community to strike a balance between exploiting natural resources and preserving the environment for future generations.
Source: Medriva
