Deep-sea miners are set to dig for critical minerals, even if rules aren't done

Deep-sea miners are set to dig for critical minerals, even if rules aren't done

As companies seek to extract critical minerals used in electric vehicle batteries and other green technologies from the deep sea, a showdown is under way over when and whether to allow mining of untouched, biodiverse ecosystems. For more than a decade, delegates from the United Nations-affiliated International Seabed Authority (ISA) have been negotiating regulations to allow deep-sea mining as required by a 1982 UN treaty. Those deliberations ar…

30th Session Of The International Seabed Authority: A Turning Point For Deep-Sea Mining - EBNW Story

The 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) commenced on March 17, 2025, in Jamaica, bringing together nearly 170 member states and the European Union. This crucial gathering focuses on finalizing deep-sea mining regulations, a contentious issue as the mining industry pushes for access to valuable seabed resources. Amid growing environmental concerns, the ISA faces the challenge of developing a comprehensive mining code while en…