Feb 8, 2023

In Deep Trouble: Deep Sea Mining

Mining has always been a destructive industry, not only for the environment but for the workers and their families. It's an industry with causes drastic ripple effects and deep sea mining is no different. Time to dive in and learn more about what deep sea trouble is brewing.

"Slashing humanity’s reliance on fossil fuels will require billions of kilograms of metal: a single wind turbine can contain more than a metric ton of copper, and electric car batteries demand heaps of cobalt, nickel and manganese."

- Daniel Ackerman

Scientific American (2020)

WHAT'S GOING ON?

The United Nations–chartered International Seabed Authority (ISA) has been finalizing regulations for commercially extracting deep-sea metals in international waters. Mining in international waters could commence as soon as 2026; even though vital research and work to adopt the required regulations, standards and guidelines to manage deep-sea mining sustainably is far from complete.

What is deep-sea mining?

"Deep-sea mining is the extraction of valuable metals and minerals by stripping away wide swaths of the deep ocean floor using robotic cutting machines."

Natural hydrothermal geysers on the deep ocean floor regularly vent rich concentrations of metals and minerals from the earth’s core, forming valuable seams on the ocean floor that can yield up to 10 times the precious metals as in comparable land-based mining. The Clarion- Clipperton Fracture Zone in the Pacific Ocean is believed to be the most mineral-rich sea floor in the world.

Is deep-sea mining similar to strip-mining?

Yes, they are very similar. Both involve massive cutting machines that remove underwater mountains or other land forms and sift through tons of debris for valuable materials. Often, underwater mining companies claim their operations are less destructive than comparable land-based mining but there is sparse evidence to support those claims.

What will be mined?

"Nickel, copper, cobalt, manganese, zinc, gold and other rare-earth metals and minerals, much of which are used in electronics. "

These minerals can be found embedded on the seafloor in three forms: cobalt-rich crust, polymetallic sulphides and polymetallic nodules which can form seafloor fields that are thousands of miles long! (Read more here)

What are some of the main environmental concerns?

Research suggests deep-sea mining could severely harm marine biodiversity and ecosystems, but science lacks the knowledge and means to implement protections that would adequately safeguard marine environments and the three billion people who depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their survival.

Disturbance of the seafloor threat:

Digging and gauging of the ocean floor by machines can alter or destroy deep-sea habitats.

Sediment plume threat:

Deep-sea mining will stir up fine sediments on the seafloor, creating plumes of suspended particles. These plumes can smother animals, harm filter-feeding species, and block animals’ visual communication.

Pollution threats:

Marine species such as whales, tuna and sharks are affected by noise, vibrations and light pollution caused by mining equipment and surface vessels. In addition, the potential of accidents, leaks or chemical spills of toxic products cause long-lasting damage to both land and sea communities.

"Scientists also fear deep-sea mining will alter the geochemical underpinnings of ocean life, causing loss of important genetic resources, and disruption of the connectivity between deep oceans and surrounding oceans, potentially hindering the flow of nutrients."

What can be done?

The reliance on these deep-sea minerals can be reduced by redesigning, more substainable reusing and recycling other materials. In addition, future research should focus on creating sustainable alternatives because deep-sea mining operations could irreparably damage marine ecosystems, and rob humanity of the many benefits the deep sea and ocean provides.