​As set out in our previous alert Pivotal Year for Deep-Sea Mining, the deep seabed is rich in mineral concretions containing cobalt, nickel, copper and manganese called polymetallic nodules. At the end of January, the French Parliament voted in favour of banning deep-sea mining in its waters.3 France, Spain, Chile, New Zealand and several Pacific nations have called for a “precautionary pause” or a ban on mining in the high seas.4 Several nations called again for a moratorium on deep-sea mining during the Council’s meeting. Of particular importance in the impasse of the exploitation regulations, Section 1(15)(c) of the Annex to Part XI of the Agreement states:6“15. 3 Lottie Limb, “France votes to ban deep-sea mining in its waters: Why is this practice so controversial?” Euronews (January 22, 2023), https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/01/18/france-votes-to-ban-deep-sea-mining-in-its-waters-why-is-this-practice-so-controversial. 4 Germany calls for ‘precautionary pause’ before deep-sea mining industry starts, The Guardian (Nov. 2, 2022), https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/02/germany-calls-for-precautionary-pause-before-deep-sea-mining-industry-starts; Spanish parliament throws support behind a ‘precautionary pause’ on deep-sea mining, Seas At Risk, (Feb. 22, 2023), https://seas-at-risk.org/general-news/spanish-parliament-throws-support-behind-a-precautionary-pause-on-deep-sea-mining/#:~:text=In%20a%20sign%20that%20momentum,from%20its%20own%20national%20waters.

Source: The Guardian July 03, 2023 17:45 UTC