Deep sea mining opponents suffer major setback

Opponents of deep sea mining faced a significant setback when a proposal for an international moratorium on the practice failed to advance during discussions at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Kingston, Jamaica. The draft, which aimed to initiate dialogue on marine environmental protection, was withdrawn by Chile after various delegations criticized its lack of clarity and suggested that decisions should be made by the ISA's Council instead of the full assembly. Despite believing he had majority support, Chilean representative Salvador Vega Telias decided to shelve the discussions until July 2025. Deep sea mining, which involves extracting minerals like nickel and cobalt from the ocean floor, is seen as crucial for renewable energy technologies but poses potential environmental risks. Non-governmental organizations and scientists warn that it could damage marine habitats and disrupt the ocean's carbon absorption capacity. Meanwhile, countries like Nauru are pushing forward with exploratory contracts, with plans to submit applications for commercial mining operations. Over 30 nations have called for a moratorium, highlighting growing public and political support against deep sea mining. A recent study also revealed that the mineral-rich nodules targeted for mining produce oxygen, further emphasizing the ecological importance of these underwater resources. The election of Brazil's Leticia Carvalho as the new ISA secretary general in January 2025 is seen as a potential turning point for reforming the ISA to better protect deep sea environments.