Deep-Sea Mining Rules Fail to Gain Consensus, US Pressure Sparks Global Debate
Deep‑Sea Mining in Tension: A Global Stalemate
International discussions on extracting metals from the ocean floor have reached a new milestone, yet the International Seabed Authority (ISA) remains far from closing a rule set that will regulate the high‑sea industry.
ISA’s Executive Council: A Line‑by‑Line Review
- The March meeting in Jamaica saw all 36 members read through the proposed “mining code” and its 107 rules.
- Council president Duncan Muhumuza Laki applauded the achievement, calling it a “significant milestone.”
- Yet key sections—especially environmental safeguards—have not secured consensus after more than a decade of negotiations.
Calls for a Quick Finalization: A Contrasting View
Representatives like Chile’s Salvador Vega Telias insist that the exploitation cannot begin without a solid, equitable framework.
He demanded that experts identify “all the scientific knowledge” needed to determine marine impacts before any mining activity starts.
ISA’s Secretariat Emphasizes Science and Precaution
Secretary‑General Leticia Carvalho reminded members that deep‑sea governance depends on robust science, inclusive dialogue, and precautionary action.
US Policy Interference: Trump’s Directive
In April, the US President Donald Trump instructed the administration to fast‑track deep‑sea mining permits under an obscure 1980 law, bypassing the ISA’s procedure.
The United States is not party to the ISA or the UNCLOS convention that created the ISA in 1994.
Canada’s The Metals Company (TMC) Seeks a Permit
Canadian firm The Metals Company (TMC) quickly lodged a request for a high‑sea mining license, short‑circuited the ISA process.
Non‑governmental organizations and some member states criticized this move.
TMC’s Nauru Ocean Resources (Nori) Holds an Exploration Contract
Nori, a TMC subsidiary, has held since 2011 an exploration contract for a Clarion‑Clipperton Zone area that expires in one year.
The company hoped to receive the first ISA‑awarded commercial mining license for that zone before pivoting to Washington.
NGO Critique: “Common Heritage” at Stake
During the Kingston talks, several delegations expressed frustration with closed‑door negotiations held by the council president.
Emma Watson of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition called the new procedure a “big shift” that jeopardizes isolated marine ecosystems.
Industry Perspective: The Need for Strategic Metals
Company executives and some governments argue the world needs cobalt, nickel, manganese, and other metals to propel clean‑energy technologies—particularly electric vehicles.
Consensus Remains Elusive
With the ISA session continuing next week—when all 169 member states will assemble—an agreement on a comprehensive, equitable mining code remains uncertain.
The outcome will shape how humanity navigates the delicate balance between resource extraction and oceanic stewardship.
