At the conference of the International Seabed Authority there was a lot of arguing and debate – about the mining project for manganese nodules. A decision was postponed. Much is at stake for the ecosystem on the ocean floor.
The depths of the seabed are largely unexplored: they are teeming with unknown species. With every expedition, scientists discover new worlds of life. The bottom of the deep sea is teeming with manganese nodules. They are thousands of meters deep. This applies in particular to the sea floor in the Pacific between Mexico and Hawaii – in the so-called Clarion-Clipperton Zone.
Manganese nodules are enriched with valuable raw materials: cobalt, nickel and manganese. In view of the fact that the demand for metals, which are needed for the construction of climate-friendly technologies, will multiply in the coming decades, companies sense big business.
How can manganese nodules be mined?
But there are many unknowns: How can the manganese nodules be removed without affecting the sediments, the life of countless unexplored species, sensitive habitats? Britta König from the environmental organization WWF is concerned. The research is still in its infancy. The prerequisite for deep-sea mining is “that there is enough scientific knowledge to ensure that the marine environment is not damaged.”
However, in her opinion, there is not enough knowledge, which is why it makes no sense to deal with the topic in such a hurry, “before it is even clear what the consequences of the different mining methods are, how far the different consequences would propagate”. All of that needs to be clarified before you start.
Applications can still be submitted
There is still a lack of a proper set of rules. This was hotly debated at the conference of the responsible International Seabed Authority ISA in Jamaica. Meetings were repeatedly interrupted. In the end a compromise was found.
Till Seidensticker from the environmental organization Greenpeace was there as an observer. He finds the result disappointing. “On the one hand, a schedule was agreed today in which regulations for deep-sea mining are to be agreed, and at the same time a very weak approach was found to the fact that mining applications for deep-sea mining can currently already be submitted.”
There will be more meetings in the next two years, and in 2025 the intention is to be a little further with the regulations. Nevertheless: Applications can already be made now. That could put pressure on further negotiations.
WWF: “Debates must be transparent”
There has been criticism from various environmental organizations, including the WWF. The debates are often held behind closed doors, says König. “These debates must take place transparently and, above all, they must also be open to scientific findings from different disciplines.” The deep sea is a heritage of all mankind. “And whether a new raw materials industry is introduced down there is everyone’s business, so we urgently need more transparency.”
The Seabed Authority rejects these allegations. Meanwhile, studies are questioning the benefits for the energy transition. BMW, VW and Renault have undertaken not to use any raw materials from the deep sea for the time being. Perhaps it is not such a big sacrifice that the cobalt contained in the manganese nodule is no longer used in newer car batteries.