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Donald Trump has decided to pursue deep-sea mining for essential minerals crucial for rechargeable batteries. He signed an executive order on Thursday aimed at accelerating mining activities in both U.S. and international waters.
This bold decision has sparked concern among critics who warn that it may disrupt marine ecosystems and impact local economies. Additionally, the initiative runs counter to ongoing international discussions regarding regulations for deep-sea mining, particularly through the International Seabed Authority (ISA). These negotiations have yet to produce concrete rules, having already missed the initial 2023 deadline.
A Dangerous Precedent
Critics argue that circumventing the ISA’s regulatory framework is “a dangerous precedent” that violates customary international law. Duncan Currie, a legal adviser for the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, emphasized the need for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, citing the potential long-term risks to marine environments and sustainability.
The ISA was created under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which has been ratified by over 160 nations. However, the United States has not signed this convention. Trump’s executive order instructs federal agencies to speed up the licensing process for companies intending to extract minerals “in areas beyond national jurisdiction,” as outlined in the 1980 U.S. Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. A nation’s territorial waters extend about 200 nautical miles from its coast.
The Trump administration’s move aims to bolster U.S. competitiveness against China, whose influence in seabed mineral resources continues to expand. Noteworthy is that no country has yet established commercial mining operations in the deep ocean, where depths can reach around 656 feet (200 meters) in international waters. Although exploration for valuable minerals like nickel, copper, cobalt, iron, and manganese has occurred, fully commercial operations remain untested.
China reacted swiftly to Trump’s executive order, with foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stating that the action “violates international law and harms the overall interests of the international community,” as reported by the BBC.
In March, the Metals Company indicated intentions to pursue permits under existing U.S. mining regulations, citing meetings with White House officials regarding the extraction of minerals from international waters. Meanwhile, California-based Impossible Metals requested the administration earlier this month to auction mining leases in areas near American Samoa, which would fall within U.S. jurisdiction. Trump’s order also directs the Secretary of the Interior to streamline the leasing process for mining in U.S. waters.
Proponents of offshore mining argue that it might pose less environmental harm compared to terrestrial mining. However, opponents caution that insufficient research exists to fully understand the potential consequences of deep-sea mining on marine biodiversity and communities relying on ocean resources. Recent studies have highlighted the possibility of “irreversible” ecological damage and disturbing noise pollution affecting marine life, while another controversial study raises questions about the deep sea’s role as a source of “dark oxygen” vital to global ecosystems.
Over 30 countries—including Palau, Fiji, Costa Rica, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, New Zealand, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—have called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining until international regulations are established to mitigate potential impacts.
Jeff Watters, vice president for external affairs at the nonprofit Ocean Conservancy, warned, “The harm caused by deep-sea mining isn’t restricted to the ocean floor: it will impact the entire water column, top to bottom, and everyone and everything relying on it.”
Source
www.theverge.com