Mining companies hope to begin mining the sea floor for valuable metals soon — upping the stakes at a vote for the top role at the international regulator.
Deep-sea mining — heralded by some as a way to power the global shift to renewables — is heading towards a turning point.
And whoever nations elect to lead the authority today will have considerable influence in such a decision. She's promising that no decision on mining exploitation licences would be made before the ISA's decided on its regulations — but she says she's no opponent to the industry."I'm absolutely loyal to the law of the sea vision established 30 years ago."in June, Mr Lodge said it was the ISA's "most important task" to complete the regulatory framework for deep-sea mining "in a timely and responsible manner".
"Our robot crawls along the sea floor, we actually fire a jet of water at them horizontally and that creates an inverse pressure, so it allows us to lift them." The Metals Company chief executive Gerard Barron said deep-sea mining is a less destructive way of getting minerals and metals.But critics say not enough research has been done into how deep-sea mining could impact the environment, with many fearing it could cause irreversible damage.The International Seabed Authority is finalising environmental rules and regulations for deep-sea mining, and expects them to be in place later this year.
Since July 9, countries and private companies have legally been able to apply for provisional licences.He expects the ISA will have established its regulations for mining by the time it decides on his company's application.The Metals Company has partnered with the Pacific nations of Nauru, Tonga, and Kiribati, with hopes to receive permission to mine the seabed later this year.
"There are no competing uses for this part of the sea floor, there are no people living there that you have to move out." "We can ensure that there are robust policies and societal changes that are aimed at driving energy and material reduction," he said.Mr Gounden, who was born and raised in Fiji, said Pacific Islanders rely on the ocean for their livelihoods.
Minerals Pacific Countries International Seabed Authority Environmental Concerns Michael Lodge Leticia Carvalho Nickel Copper Cobalt Manganese Greenpeace The Metals Company
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