Importance Score: 78 / 100 🔴
Former President Donald Trump aimed to explore the ocean depths for vital minerals used in rechargeable batteries. An executive order signed to accelerate mining operations in both US and international waters sparks debate and controversy.
Concerns Arise Over Trump’s Deep-Sea Mining Plan
Critics argue this aggressive move could inflict unforeseen damage on marine life and coastal economies, while also challenging global agreements. Discussions to establish regulations for deep-sea mining, facilitated by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), are still in progress. These talks have surpassed the initial 2023 deadline, hindering advancements in commercial deep-sea mining endeavors.
“A Dangerous Precedent” Set by Deep-Sea Mining
According to Duncan Currie, legal advisor for the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, bypassing the ISA’s regulatory procedures would “set a dangerous precedent and would be a violation of customary international law.” This coalition has actively championed a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
International Law and US Stance
The ISA was created under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which over 160 nations have ratified. However, the United States has not. The executive order directs federal agencies to accelerate the issuance of licenses to companies aiming to extract minerals from areas “beyond national jurisdiction,” aligning with the 1980 US Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. A nation’s jurisdiction extends roughly 200 nautical miles from the shore.
Strategic Motivations and International Response
The Trump administration intended to collaborate with industry to “counter China’s growing influence over seabed mineral resources,” according to the executive order. While commercial deep ocean mining, at depths of approximately 656 feet (200 meters) in international waters, remains unrealized, exploration for nickel, copper, cobalt, iron, and manganese vital for rechargeable batteries has occurred. China is a major refiner of these critical minerals.
China responded by stating that Trump’s decision “violates international law and harms the overall interests of the international community,” according to a BBC report citing Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun.
Companies Positioned to Benefit
The Metals Company revealed in March that they had already “met with officials in the White House” and intend to apply for permits under existing US mining code to begin extracting minerals from the high seas.
Impossible Metals, a California-based firm, previously asked the Trump administration to organize auctions of mining leases off the coast of American Samoa, within US-controlled waters. The executive order further directs the Secretary of the Interior to expedite the process for leasing mining areas within US waters.
Environmental Concerns and International Opposition
Companies aiming to tap into offshore mineral resources suggest it would be less harmful than land-based mining. Opponents argue there needs to be more research to understand the effects of deep sea mining on marine ecosystems and the communities reliant on them. Recent research has cautioned against “irreversible” damage and significant noise pollution affecting sea life. A controversial study also questions whether the deep sea could be an essential source of “dark oxygen” for the planet.
Growing Calls for Moratorium
Over 30 nations, including Palau, Fiji, Costa Rica, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, New Zealand, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, have advocated for a ban or moratorium on deep-sea mining until international regulations are in place to mitigate potential harm.
Impact Beyond the Ocean Floor
- The harm caused by deep-sea mining affects the ecosystem.
- The entire water column, top to bottom, is impacted by this activity.
- Everyone and everything is affected when relying on it.
Jeff Watters, Vice President for external affairs at the nonprofit Ocean Conservancy, stated in a press release the damage will be widespread.