Context: The UN's decision to take deep-sea mining applications comes when there is no mining code in place. Several countries have insisted that industrial undersea mining should require strict rules.

Key Points

• After two weeks of negotiations, the International Seabed Authority has decided that it will start taking permit applications in July from companies that want to mine the ocean's floor.

• The undersea mining will be conducted to extract key battery materials — cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese — from potato-sized rocks called "polymetallic nodules" found at depths of 4 kilometers to 6 kilometers (about 2.5 miles to 3.7 miles).

• The Jamaica-based ISA was established under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. It holds authority over the ocean floors outside of its 167 member states' Exclusive Economic Zones.

About Deep Sea Mining

• Deep-sea mining is the process of extracting minerals from the deep ocean floor.

• The minerals that are extracted can include valuable metals such as copper, gold, nickel, and manganese, as well as rare earth metals that are used in high-tech devices such as smartphones, computers, and electric vehicles.

• The minerals are found in the form of polymetallic nodules that are located on the ocean floor at depths of around 4 to 6 kilometers.

• Deep-sea mining involves the use of specially designed equipment that can withstand the extreme pressure and temperature conditions found at these depths.

About International Seabed Authority

• The International Seabed Authority is a Jamaica-based organization established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

• The authority holds jurisdiction over the ocean floors outside of the Exclusive Economic Zones of its 167 member states.

Reasons behind undersea mining

• The mining is aimed at extracting cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese from the ocean’s floor.

• The undersea mining will extract key battery materials from polymetallic nodules found at depths of 4 kilometers to 6 kilometers.

• These nodules are potato-sized rocks containing cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese.

The decision of the United Nations (UN) to allow deep-sea mining operations has raised several concerns and issues. Some of these include

• Environmental impact: Deep-sea mining can cause significant damage to the marine environment, including the destruction of ecosystems, the release of toxic substances, and the disturbance of sediment and seabed habitats.

• Unknown consequences: The long-term consequences of deep-sea mining are unknown, and there is a lack of scientific knowledge about the potential impacts on deep-sea ecosystems and biodiversity.

• Resource depletion: While deep-sea mining may provide access to new sources of valuable minerals, there is a risk of overexploitation and depletion of non-renewable resources.

• Legal issues: The regulation of deep-sea mining is complex and there are concerns about the ability of national and international laws to effectively manage and regulate deep-sea mining operations.

• Mining code missing: Despite 10 years of discussion, there is no mining code in place. The governing council of ISA is uncertain about the process it should adopt for reviewing applications for mining contracts.

National and international conventions have been put in place to regulate deep-sea mining. Some of the provisions of these conventions include

• The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): UNCLOS sets out the legal framework for the exploration and exploitation of the ocean's resources, including deep-sea minerals. It requires states to ensure that deep-sea mining operations do not cause significant harm to the marine environment.

• The International Seabed Authority (ISA): The ISA is responsible for regulating deep-sea mining in areas beyond national jurisdiction. It has developed a framework of regulations and guidelines to manage and regulate deep-sea mining operations, including requirements for environmental impact assessments and monitoring.

• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): The CBD recognizes the importance of protecting biodiversity in the deep sea and calls for the development of guidelines and best practices for deep-sea mining operations to ensure that they are environmentally sustainable.

• The London Protocol: The London Protocol is an international agreement that prohibits the dumping of waste and other materials at sea, including from deep-sea mining operations.

Conclusion

• Overall, while deep-sea mining operations may provide access to valuable resources, it is important to consider the potential environmental, economic, and social impacts, as well as the need for effective regulation and management to ensure the sustainability of these operations.