Deep-Sea Mining: The Global Tussle between Exploitation and Conservation
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (International Institutions - International Seabed Authority (ISA), International Conventions - UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)), Environment (Deep Sea Ecosystems, Biodiversity), Geography (Oceanic Resources).
Mains:
GS Paper 2: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
GS Paper 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation; Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life (minerals for green tech).
Key Highlights from the News
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has not yet reached a consensus on formulating rules ("mining code") for mineral extraction from the international seabed.
The metals intended for extraction here include cobalt, nickel, and manganese, which are essential for electric vehicles and other new technologies.
The main dispute is regarding the guidelines for protecting the marine environment.
37 countries, including Chile, are demanding a moratorium on mining until full scientific knowledge of the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining is available.
The United States, which is not a party to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is complicating discussions by attempting to authorize deep-sea mining by bypassing ISA procedures.
Environmental organizations argue that the deep sea and its resources are the "common heritage of humankind" and that their protection should not be compromised.
COMMENTS