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https://theconversation.com/mining-the-seabed-for-clean-tech-minerals-could-destroy-ecosystems-will-it-get-the-green-light-209690>
"A little-known organisation is meeting this week in a conference centre in
Jamaica. The rules the International Seabed Authority (ISA) are drafting could
have immense impact.
That’s because this United Nations body has the power to permit – or deny –
mining on the deep seabed, outside any nation’s exclusive economic zones.
Boosters say the billions of tonnes of critical minerals like nickel,
manganese, copper and cobalt lying in metal-dense nodules on the seabed could
unlock faster decarbonisation and avoid supply shortages.
Developing Pacific nation Nauru has led the charge to open up the seabed for
mining, seeing it as a new source of income. (Ironically, Nauru itself was
strip-mined for guano, leaving a moonscape and few resources.)
But researchers warn the mining could trash entire ecosystems, by ripping up
the sea floor or covering creatures with sediment. Early indications from trial
mining efforts suggest the process is worse than expected, with long-lasting
impact on sealife.
Almost 20 governments are calling for a moratorium or slowdown on mining. But
China, Russia and South Korea are pushing for mining to begin.
The ISA has already missed its July 9 deadline to produce regulations governing
seabed mining. That could mean we’re heading for a deep-sea free-for-all."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
