Angie Richard (Davis)’s Post

Is seabed mining an economic necessity or a hazard? Deep-sea miner Gerard Barron insists that his company's extraction method has little impact on the environment. His firm, The Metals Company, uses remote-controlled machines the size of trucks "to scoop up rocks sitting on the sea floor". These rocks are then crushed and processed to release a number of key minerals in high demand for the production of batteries - cobalt, nickel, copper and manganese. Currently continuing testing work, the Canadian business hopes to get authorisation to start commercial mining in international waters in the north Pacific as early as the end of 2025. At present such commercial extraction is not allowed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the UN body that regulates the seafloor in international waters. However, the ISA and its 169 member states, are due to meet later this year to try to finalise rules that may potentially allow it to start, with a final vote expected within 24 months. Some 30 countries including the UK, Brazil, Canada, France and Germany want the ban to continue because of concerns about the environmental impact. However, other nations, including China, are keen for large-scale deep-sea mining in international waters to get the go-ahead. #maritimeconnection #seabed #smes #mining #environmental https://lnkd.in/erHe3JH2

In light of the recent article about U.S. lawmakers pushing for funding in deep-sea mining to lessen reliance on China for critical minerals, it's time we consider the Earth Responsibility Score (ERS) in our discussions. Deep-sea mining, while offering an alternative source of essential minerals for industries like EV batteries and weaponry, raises significant environmental concerns. The introduction of the Responsible Use of Seafloor Resources Act emphasizes the need for diversification in sourcing critical minerals but also highlights the environmental and social implications of such actions. As professionals, we must balance innovation and environmental stewardship. Let's advocate for comprehensive assessments of environmental impacts and promote responsible mining practices. #SustainableBusiness #DeepSeaMining #EnvironmentalImpact #Innovation #CriticalMinerals

Deep sea mining for extracting minerals from the ocean is a hot topic these days. The aim is to obtain minerals such as nickel, copper, and cobalt, all critical elements in #energytransition. As usual, Carbon Brief does a terrific job at explaining what are the implications of #deepseamining on #climatechange and marine #biodiversity. “The deep sea has emerged as a new mining frontier in the global race towards energy security, with countries vying to explore and exploit its reserves of metals, such as nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese. These minerals – critical to the energy transition – are held in the deep ocean’s nodules, hydrothermal vents and crusts, but the impacts of mining these deposits are still far from being fully understood. In 2021, the Pacific island state of Nauru triggered a legal process for countries to agree rules around mining the seabed, or – in their absence – allow commercial mining of the deep sea to begin by 2025. Since then, 31 countries have called for some form of a ban, moratorium or pause on deep sea mining in international waters until its impacts on the ocean, climate and biodiversity are properly investigated. Companies, such as BMW, Volvo and Renault, have joined this groundswell and are increasingly distancing themselves from deep-sea mining, along with banks such as Credit Suisse, ABN Amro and the European Investment Bank. At the same time, 20 countries already hold 30 exploration contracts in areas beyond national boundaries, while countries such as Norway have supported deep-sea mining in their domestic waters. As the International Seabed Authority meets in Kingston, Jamaica for another round of critical talks on deep-sea mining, Carbon Brief unpacks what mining could mean for climate change and biodiversity.” The article answers questions such as: ✅What is deep-sea mining? ✅What is the state of deep-sea mining around the world? ✅What does deep-sea mining mean for climate change? ✅How does it impact global marine biodiversity and coastal communities? https://lnkd.in/dgW7c549

Do we need deep sea mining for the #energytransition? Environmental organisations and scientists warn that the deep sea is largely unknown, and comprehensive studies are needed to understand what role deep sea ecosystems play in global temperature cycles and biodiversity. Zero Carbon Analytics explores which minerals are needed in the energy transition and whether deep sea mining could help with supply shortages. To the full report 👉 https://lnkd.in/eCyENfpN

Deep-sea mining has been a hot topic of discussion lately, with companies like The Metals Company pushing for commercial mining in international waters. Despite concerns about the environmental impact, Gerard Barron maintains that his company's extraction method has little impact on the environment. Using remote-controlled machines, the company aims to harvest rocks containing key minerals like cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese, which are in high demand for battery production. However, WWF remains opposed to all forms of deep-sea mining, citing the potential destruction of ecosystems and marine species. #DeepSeaMining #EnvironmentalImpact

A disappointing start to 2024 from a country that is an environmental leader in many ways. Research has already shown deep sea mining has a hugely detrimental effect on marine life in and around the area - and that is only in the year following extraction, we have no idea what the long-term impacts will be. 'Mining companies should focus on preventing environmental damage in current operations, rather than opening up a whole new industry.' #environment #environmentalsustainability #deepseamining https://lnkd.in/eFidT-Ge

Norway’s parliament has voted to allow deep-sea mining to commence in the Norwegian Sea, a move that has garnered criticism from scientists and environmentalists. While the Norwegian government insists that it can conduct deep-sea mining in a sustainable way, critics say these activities will put marine ecosystems and biodiversity at risk. Norway will open a 281,000-square-kilometer (108,500-square-mile) area of the ocean for deep-sea mining, which mostly falls along its continental shelf. Norway’s parliament has officially voted to allow deep-sea mining to go forward in the Norwegian Sea, despite warnings from scientists and conservationists that it could damage the marine environment. This result was already anticipated in December 2023 after Norway’s minority government negotiated a deal with opposition parties to open up the ocean off Norway’s coast to deep-sea mining. The government previously proposed opening a 329,000-square-kilometer (127,000-square-mile) portion of the Norwegian Sea to deep-sea mining. However, this was later reduced to 281,000 km2 (108,500 mi2), an area nearly the size of Italy. Most of this region falls across Norway’s extended continental shelf, which is technically in international waters, but over which Norway has jurisdiction. Another portion falls within the territorial waters of the Svalbard archipelago, which Norway claims as its own exclusive economic zone, although contested by other nations. +++ What is Norway after? Norway intends to mine for minerals such as magnesium, cobalt, copper, nickel, and rare-earth metals found in manganese crusts on seamounts and sulfide deposits on active, inactive or extinct hydrothermal vents. The government says seabed mining is necessary to ensure that Norway is able to succeed in a “green transition.” +++ This is likely to be the beginning of a worldwide ecological disaster. A Green Revolution? Let's be clear. There is nothing green about decimating the ocean floor in the search for minerals. With Denmark about to launch a huge plastics foundry (see today's post from Kasper Benjamin Reimer Bjørkskov on Ineos) – this new attack on the ecosystem from Norway is absolutely unwelcome. #rareearthelements #deepseamining #norway #ecocide https://lnkd.in/eSXVizgM

I would say the question should be more pointed at not whether deep sea Mining can be done economically but should be can it be done environmentally. The exact nature of how things are done and the regulatory process in the ISA is deliberately obscure. There is no open transparent divulging of what transgressions in exploration licences have occurred and what if any rectifying action has been taken. An ocean devoid of biodiversity unable to sustain life will reduce the ability of this planet to support human life. Yes we need resources for modern technology but we ultimately need to breathe and we are rapidly destroying our life support system. Ultimately we need people in charge who take environmental responsibility at least as seriously as corporate profit. However I agree that deep sea mining seems inevitable simply because there are huge potential profits. Greed has always proved difficult to stop. It is time the ISA took a more balanced view of developments and behaved like a regulator not an industry promoter, regardless of what Norway may or may not do. Norway for it's part has demonstrated it's commitments to environmental responsibility by careless choices of mining areas to start with. Some of which cannot be mined responsibly because it requires breaking and removing the entire seabed. https://lnkd.in/eiQ2nrBA

As I recently predicted in the conclusion in my MBA thesis on Deep-sea Mining in the Artic Ocean, the Norwegian parliament earlier this week approved plans to open up part of its sea to companies wanting to extract minerals from the seabed. This will be a big test for the country and for the world, as it will be the first time deep-sea mining activities truly start. #deepseamining #Norway #greenenergy #minerals #economics #reuters #arcticocean #arctic https://lnkd.in/dgJDFHEd

The deep sea has emerged as a new mining frontier in the global race towards energy security, with countries vying to explore and exploit its reserves of metals, such as nickel, copper, cobalt and manganese. These minerals – critical to the energy transition – are held in the deep ocean’s nodules, hydrothermal vents and crusts, but the impacts of mining these deposits are still far from being fully understood. In 2021, the Pacific island state of Nauru triggered a legal process for countries to agree rules around mining the seabed, or – in their absence – allow commercial mining of the deep sea to begin by 2025. Since then, 31 countries have called for some form of a ban, moratorium or pause on deep sea mining in international waters until its impacts on the ocean, climate and biodiversity are properly investigated. #DeepSeaMining https://lnkd.in/gxnZG7FN