The Risks of Rushing into Seabed Mining

Summary

Dr. Elizabeth Mendenhall discusses the risks associated with international seabed mining, highlighting the lack of readiness to prevent significant harm to the marine environment.

Highlights

💰 Seabed mining, with its vast potential, demands significant capital investment but carries substantial risks.

🌊 The concept of the “common heritage of mankind” governs seabed mining to ensure equitable benefits sharing and peaceful use of the ocean floor.

🌏 The International Seabed Authority, based in Jamaica, manages seabed mining, issuing exploration contracts to various investors.

📜 Exploration contracts, including those in the ecologically sensitive Clarion Clipperton Zone, pose environmental concerns due to the lack of finalized regulations.

🐋 Risks include disruption of marine life habitats, such as sedentary life and sound pollution affecting sea mammals like whales.

🔍 Transparency and regulatory frameworks are crucial for addressing environmental risks associated with deep-sea mining.

🇺🇸 The United States, not party to the Law of the Sea Convention, lacks voting rights in the Seabed Authority and cannot apply for mining permits.