Letter of the Day | Reconsider stance on deep sea mining

THE EDITOR, Madam:

This is an open letter to the Prime Minister of Jamaica

As Jamaica prepares to host the 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority Assembly and Council this March, we once again urge the Government of Jamaica to reconsider its stance on deep-sea mining (DSM).

Private companies cannot mine international waters without the sponsorship of a state, which may expose that state to significant legal and financial liabilities. The Jamaica Environment Trust has repeatedly raised concerns about Jamaica’s role as a sponsoring state for DSM and the associated risks. Many of these concerns have been largely ignored or dismissed in Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith’s Senate contribution on November 8, 2024.

DSM involves extracting minerals from the ocean floor to meet demand for electric vehicles, renewable energy, electronics, and medical devices. The deep sea —defined as waters deeper than 200 meter is extremely difficult and expensive to access, making oversight and environmental monitoring highly challenging. How will Jamaica ensure that Blue Minerals Jamaica, the company it sponsors, conducts proper monitoring? Who will bear the cost of this monitoring – taxpayers or the mining companies themselves? If the latter, how can we trust their self-reported data?

DSM will not take place in Jamaican waters but in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) – a vast, largely unexplored, and ecologically sensitive area in the Pacific Ocean. The potential harm to other countries, especially developing states, cannot be ignored.

The CCZ is part of the common heritage of humankind, meaning all nations should benefit. Yet, it remains unclear how this will be achieved or if DSM is even financially viable. Studies suggest DSM could result in over US$500 billion in value destruction due to habitat and natural capital loss. Even the International Seabed Authority projects that sponsoring states would likely earn only US$97,800 in annual net present value over 30 years per member. Such a low return hardly justifies the risks.

Jamaica’s long history and experience with extractive industries has shown that the environmental and economic costs often outweigh the benefits. The limited data on DSM suggests it follows the same pattern, posing significant risks to marine ecosystems and long-term sustainability. Rather than repeating past mistakes of exploitation and environmental harm, Jamaica should pursue a more sustainable path for economic growth – one that protects the ocean and upholds our global responsibilities.

The current administration has repeatedly acknowledged Jamaica’s extreme vulnerability to climate change and the threats it poses to our economy, natural resources, and infrastructure. Supporting an industry that could further disrupt marine ecosystems, exacerbate the climate crisis, and endanger vital sectors like fisheries is not only contradictory but reckless.

JAMAICA ENVIRONMENT

TRUST