The US may commence its first commercial deep-sea mining operation after the NOAA reviews a Canadian company's application to extract metals from the seabed. Speculation surrounds the urgency as a response to national security and competition with China for rare earth elements. Despite enthusiasm, the overall safety of the ocean floor and potential environmental damages raises significant alarms among experts, who warn that ecological losses could outweigh the mining industry's economic gains. International regulations for such operations are still lacking, complicating legal frameworks around deep-sea ventures.
The request for commercial deep-sea mining in international waters, despite the absence of global protective rules, raises significant concerns regarding ecosystem impact and legal ramifications.
The seabed holds valuable minerals like copper, cobalt, and nickel, which are crucial for the green energy transition, driving interest for mining initiatives.
Concerns from scientists and legal experts indicate that the environmental risks posed by deep-sea mining may far exceed the anticipated economic benefits.
The proposed mining activity is framed as a matter of national security, primarily to reduce dependency on China for critical rare earth elements.
#deep-sea-mining #environmental-protection #ocean-conservation #rare-earth-elements #international-law
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