Is Mankind Ready for Deep-Sea Mining?

Oceans' Critical Role in Climate Regulation and Sustaining Life on Earth

- By Dr Rina Mukherji

Dr Rina Mukherji's article explores the contentious issue of deep-sea mining, emphasizing the urgent need to resolve environmental, financial, regulatory, and governance concerns. Despite growing interest in extracting minerals from the seabed, many governments, institutions, and experts call for a moratorium, warning of irreversible harm to marine biodiversity and ecosystems that remain largely unexplored. The article outlines mining methods, the threat of sediment plumes, and evidence of long-lasting ecological damage. Highlighting the oceans' critical role in climate regulation and sustaining life on Earth, the author argues for stronger oversight and a continued pause until risks are fully understood and addressed.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council Meeting recently concluded in Kingston, Jamaica, without adopting a mining code, after reinforcing that no mining will be allowed unless regulations are in place. The Council meeting came just weeks after the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice, France, where heads of state, ministers, and leaders from around the world warned against opening the deep sea to mining and reaffirmed the need for a moratorium. Currently, 31 governments support a moratorium, precautionary pause, or ban. There are also 40 financial institutions representing over €3.8 trillion in combined assets, who have reaffirmed that deep-sea mining must not proceed until the risks are comprehensively understood and alternatives fully explored.