Norway approves seabed mining

The smartphones, laptops and other gadgets that we use on a daily basis are essentially made of some rare metals. These are being exploitatively mined in different parts of the world but the appetite for these resources remains insatiable. The world has now turned towards the resources available deep inside the sea bed in addition to the ones available on land.

In keeping up with this, a 280,000 sq km area, off the coast of Norway has been approved for the world’s first commercial mining exploration under the sea bed. Despite protests from activists and raised alarms from scientists, the project was green lit by the Norwegian Parliament.

There are many other nations as well that are eager to invest in this new age exploration. But why is deep sea mining trending and what harms can it cause to the marine ecosystem?

Deep-sea mining is the process of extracting ores from the seafloor — at depths greater than 200 metres. At these depths, one can explore critical minerals such as cobalt, manganese, zinc and other rare metals that are required to kickstart the new clean energy transition.

The world’s need for many of these metals, used for electric vehicle batteries, solar panels and wind turbines, will be twice what it is today in the year 2040 (IEA). Thus, several nations, including India, have their eyes set on deep-sea mining. As many as 31 exploration licences have already been issued by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), sponsored by a total of 14 nations.

Deep-sea mining operations could present serious risks to ocean ecosystems. Commercial-scale operations of deep seabed mining in 2024 may come at the expense of cetaceans like whales, dolphins and porpoises, a study has found.

The huge machines and vessels involved in the process may cause noise, air pollution and vibration, and result in fluid leaks and discharges from vessels and equipment. Together, these will further contaminate the marine environment.

Considering these risks, some companies are in support of the World Wildlife Fund’s call to avoid minerals that have been mined from the planet’s oceans. Many countries — including France, Germany and several Pacific Island nations — have officially called for a ban on deep sea mining until environmental safeguards are in place.

According to a report from the EJF (Environmental Justice Foundation), deep-sea mining is not needed for clean energy transition. It predicted that a combination of a circular economy, new technology and recycling could cut cumulative mineral demand by 58 per cent between 2022 and 2050.

Norway’s government does not intend to immediately start drilling for critical minerals. Instead, companies will need to submit proposals for licences that will be voted on a case-by-case basis in the parliament. The Norway Institute of Marine Research (IMR) said that the government had made assumptions from a small area of research and applied it to the whole area planned for drilling. It estimates a further five to 10 years of research into impacts on species is needed.

Norway’s push to open up its seabed for mining comes as international negotiations continue on whether to permit commercial harvesting of the sea floor in mineral rich areas outside of countries’ national jurisdiction. There are huge environmental implications for digging up seafloor ecosystems as well as ethical ones.

As far as international waters are concerned, the ISA now has until 2025 to finalise regulations that could decide whether and how countries can mine the deep sea in international waters.

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