Sophia Frazer-Binns | Deep sea mining – an informed decision awaits

As the Earth’s land-based resources are getting depleted, the world has turned its attention to the vast resources that lie beneath the ocean surface. However, the plans to open up the last untouched wilderness – the ocean seabed – to a new extractive industry have also raised questions about whether deep sea mining is the right path towards a greener future.

Although much remains unknown about the deep sea, its role in regulating our planet cannot be disputed. It is the biggest carbon sponge, absorbing and storing roughly 40 per cent of the carbon dioxide that people release into the atmosphere while storing twice as much carbon as is present in soil on land. Further, the deep sea acts as a natural absorbent for over 90 per cent of the heat we all experience.

Deep sea mining, an emerging commercial extractive industry, would involve mining metals and minerals from the deep seabed. Mining methods vary depending on the type of mineral deposit, ranging from mining nodules on the seabed floor to deep drilling and even demolition, like mountaintop removal methods on land, to extract ore deposits.

The discussion at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) on deep sea mining progressed slowly and quietly for decades until 2021 when Nauru, a small island in the Pacific, and The Metals Company (TMC), a Canadian mining corporation, invoked a treaty provision at the International Seabed Authority requiring the body to finalise the Mining Code that would determine where and how countries and companies can mine the deep sea.

GROWING DEMAND

Since 2021, there has been a growing demand for a precautionary pause, moratorium, or ban on deep sea mining as states seek to ensure that in keeping with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the creation of this industry does not commence until there is enough scientific research to determine whether or not it can be done without damaging this very important resource. Several countries, especially those from the global south, are also keen to ensure that any benefits derived from the industry in this global common are for the use of all humankind and not just a select group of countries. To date, 24 countries, including the United Kingdom, a sponsor of deep sea mining licences, along with a significant number of small island developing states (SIDS), which are most likely to be impacted by deep sea mining, have joined this call for a moratorium of deep sea mining. They are joined over 700 scientists who have cautioned that deep sea mining should be approached with extreme caution, considering the inevitable and possibly irreversible loss of biodiversity that may occur.

In Jamaica, the call for a moratorium against deep sea mining is becoming more intense, forcing us to consider the merits of a moratorium. If a moratorium is not yet being considered, there is an urgent need for the government to create a multi-sectoral committee to study the pros and cons and share the information with the people.

Proponents of deep sea mining argue that given the depletion of terrestrial resources, the survival of humankind compels us to explore new sources, including our oceans. They posit that the seabed contains metal-rich deposits which are needed for many things, including renewable energy coupled with the substantial financial benefits to be derived, especially for countries intent on driving development through the blue economy. While supporters see endless possibilities, those opposed feel the environmental harm outweighs the financial benefits, and any gain would be disproportionately enjoyed by a few countries and their sponsored corporations.

COMPELLING FACTORS

There are compelling environmental and social factors that cannot be ignored in deciding the direction we take.

1. The real effects of deep sea mining on the environment are largely unknown, with available information suggesting that the effects on biological diversity will not just be inevitable but irreversible. These include the extinction of various species and the disruption of the seabed.

Experts have argued that the stripping of the crusts; a method used in deep sea mining; “will destroy deep-sea sponges, coral ecosystems and living organisms on and below the seabed which have taken thousands of years to grow and may take millions of years to recover, with even partial recovery taking hundreds of thousands of years”.

2. Deep sea mining may lead to a reduction of the fish stock which will have negative effects on coastal communities and fisherfolk who rely on the ocean and fishing for their survival. This is compounded by the effects of the climate crisis on these communities. This combined effect on persons in coastal communities is heightened given that they generally fall within the lower socio-economic strata.

A reduction in the fish stock will further increase their vulnerabilities and continue the cycle of generational poverty. Researchers Van der Grient and Drazen (2021) note that research on the impact of deep sea mining on tuna fisheries in the Pacific has highlighted that “... some developing or island nations, could see moderate to large parts of their catches affected by deep sea mining”.

They further estimate that “between five to 15 per cent of the catch of three key species – yellowfin, skipjack and bigeye – by Ecuador, USA, Mexico, Spain and Panama could be impacted in the eastern Pacific area and up to two to 10 per cent of the catch of USA, Mexico, Spain, Venezuela, Panama, St Vincent, Korea and Vanuatu in the vicinity of the Mid Atlantic Ridge in the ICCAT convention area”.

3. Human activity on terrestrial land has already affected the deep-sea ecosystem as evidenced in the effects of climate change with warmer temperatures, acidification and increased amounts of plastics and other pollutants in our oceans.

4. Jamaica recently signed on to the Caribbean Biological Corridor which aims to protect marine life and biodiversity in the ocean. Accordingly, we should be cautious in supporting any action which runs contrary or has the potential to destroy the biological diversity of our oceans.

5. The world is still trying to understand the nature and existence of flora and fauna in national and international waters. Therefore, exploitation of resources in our deep sea could be ill-conceived and with deleterious effects.

6. Deep sea mining must not take place without the full engagement of all stakeholders, particularly those who are most likely to be impacted.

Recognising the harm that deep sea mining could cause to the ocean, human survival, and notwithstanding the financial benefits, companies such as BMW, Microsoft, Google and Volvo have pledged not to use metals produced from deep sea mining until there is a better understanding of the environmental impact.

Jamaica can learn from the experience of other countries about the environmental and social effects. For example, Papua New Guinea having undertaken deep sea mining in its territorial waters and after losing over US$125 million and seeing the effects on the environment has called for a moratorium.

As we debate the issue of deep sea mining, the world is forced to consider how it will sustain itself given our poor management of our terrestrial environment and ecosystem. The better move is to take a precautionary approach until sufficient information on the effects of deep sea mining is available. Nations across the world and especially countries like Jamaica which depend on the ocean for economic sustainability must ensure that deep sea mining will not damage or alter the ocean’s ecosystem and biological diversity.

The decision on whether or not to permit deep sea mining is a pivotal one. There is no doubt it can yield some benefit to humankind, but this must be weighed against the negative effects on humans and the environment.

We must make every effort to preserve this common heritage for humankind.

Presently, the ISA Council is meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, to discuss, among other things, the way forward for deep sea mining. Whether we dive into deep sea mining – time will tell.

Sophia Frazer-Binns is a senator, an attorney-at law, and shadow minister of land, environment and climate change. Send feedback to lecchange@gmail.com.