The race to mine the bottom of the ocean
Vox・9 minutes read
The Metals Company, sponsored by Pacific Island nations, plans to mine the Clarion-Clipperton Zone for essential metals despite environmental concerns and opposition, awaiting regulations from the International Seabed Authority to move forward.
Insights
- The Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean holds significant mineral resources essential for various industries, with more metals than all land-based deposits combined, attracting multiple exploration ships from different countries and private companies.
- The International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Kingston, Jamaica oversees deep-sea mining regulations to ensure equitable benefits for all, considering developing countries and environmental protection, despite ongoing debates surrounding the environmental impact of robotic vacuum mining in the area.
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Recent questions
What is the Clarion-Clipperton Zone?
A deep sea area rich in metals and minerals.
How does the UN govern the laws of the sea?
By designating areas of sovereignty for coastal countries.
What is the role of the International Seabed Authority (ISA)?
Enforcing regulations for deep sea mining.
How do mining companies extract resources from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone?
Using robotic vacuums to extract rocks from the seafloor.
What is the stance of The Metals Company on deep sea mining?
Aiming to commercialize mining in the deep sea.
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Summary
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Deep Sea Mining: The Metals Company's Venture
- In 2012, a Canadian mining company sent a ship to explore the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean, a deep sea area rich in metals and minerals essential for various industries.
- The need for these metals is increasing due to the shift towards clean energy, requiring up to six times more metals than before.
- The Clarion-Clipperton Zone holds more metals than all land-based deposits combined, attracting 16 exploration ships from different countries and private companies.
- The UN governs the laws of the sea, designating areas of sovereignty for coastal countries and establishing The Area, a common heritage beyond national jurisdictions.
- The International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Kingston, Jamaica enforces regulations for deep sea mining, ensuring benefits for all humankind, considering developing countries, and protecting the marine environment.
- The Metals Company, based in Canada, secured exploration contracts with sponsorship from Pacific Island nations like Nauru, Kiribati, and Tonga, allowing access to reserved areas for developing countries.
- Mining companies use robotic vacuums to extract rocks from the seafloor in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, sparking debates between proponents citing lower environmental impact than land-based mining and opponents fearing ecosystem destruction.
- Despite opposition and calls for a moratorium on deep sea mining, The Metals Company aims to commercialize mining in the deep sea, awaiting ISA regulations to proceed.
