In a significant move, Brazil on July 14 has proposed a ten-year moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters. The call comes as the International Seabed Authority, a regulatory agency under the United Nations, faces mounting pressure to establish comprehensive rules and regulations for deep-sea mining. This decision follows the recent opening of applications for provisional licenses for companies and countries interested in engaging in this practice.
The International Seabed Authority has been conducting a two-week conference in Jamaica, where it failed to meet the July 9 deadline for approving regulations governing deep sea mining. Although no provisional licenses have been issued, the government of Nauru is expected to submit an application soon via the Canadian-based Metals Co. Nauru aims to diversify its economy, but it has pledged not to submit an application during the ongoing U.N. conference, scheduled to conclude on July 21.
Margo Deiye, Nauru's permanent representative to the International Seabed Authority, emphasized that their decision does not signify a withdrawal from pursuing deep-sea mining.
"We're no longer in a 'what if' scenario but 'what now'?" Deiye stated.
A growing number of countries and companies, including major automakers BMW and Volvo, are advocating for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. They argue that extracting precious metals used in electric car batteries and other green technologies from the deep sea could cause severe environmental damage.
Elza Moreira Marcelino de Castro, Brazil's representative to the International Seabed Authority, voiced the country's support for a precautionary pause of at least ten years.
"Priority must be given to the protection of the international seabed until conclusive and comprehensive studies are available," Castro emphasized.
Scientists have warned of potential dust storms, as well as light and noise pollution, resulting from deep sea mining. They highlight the fact that minerals found at such depths take millions of years to form. However, mining companies contend that deep-sea mining is cost-effective and has a lesser impact compared to land mining. Additionally, some nations argue that it would enable economic growth and diversification.
On July 14, several council members stressed the need for further scientific studies before granting any mining licenses.
"Exploitation must not commence until it can be guaranteed that there will be no loss to biodiversity," Siddharth Shekhar Yadav, Vanuatu's representative, asserted.
The U.N. Agency has issued more than 30 exploration licenses, with a majority of the activity focused in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, spanning 4.5mn square kilometers between Hawaii and Mexico. Exploration efforts are being conducted at depths ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 meters.
The 36-member council of the U.N. agency is currently developing a proposed framework for regulating potential deep-sea mining. However, the timeline for its completion remains uncertain. Australia's representative acknowledged that draft regulations would not be ready before the conclusion of the conference or the subsequent meeting scheduled for October and November.
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