What's happened
The Metals Company seeks U.S. approval for deep-sea mining, igniting global backlash. Countries including China, Russia, and the UK oppose unilateral actions that undermine international regulations. The International Seabed Authority's jurisdiction is at the center of this dispute, as the company aims to extract metals for green technologies by 2027.
What's behind the headline?
Key Issues at Stake
- Regulatory Authority: The International Seabed Authority (ISA) claims exclusive rights to regulate seabed mining, while The Metals Company argues for U.S. autonomy in issuing permits.
- Environmental Concerns: Critics warn that mining could harm marine ecosystems, with calls for thorough environmental assessments before any approvals.
- Geopolitical Implications: The alignment of various nations against U.S. actions highlights the potential for increased geopolitical tensions over resource extraction in international waters.
Future Outlook
- The Metals Company aims to start mining by 2027, but regulatory hurdles and international opposition could delay or alter these plans significantly. The outcome of this dispute may set precedents for future seabed mining operations globally.
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, the pushback against The Metals Company's plans reflects a rare alignment among nations, with Leticia Carvalho stating that unilateral actions would violate international law. Bloomberg reports that the company has initiated a process for a U.S. government license, despite the ISA's ongoing efforts to draft regulations. This tension underscores the complexities of international governance over shared resources, as highlighted by the differing interpretations of the law by the U.S. Commerce Department and the ISA.
How we got here
The Metals Company has expressed frustration with the slow progress of the International Seabed Authority in establishing regulations for seabed mining. The company is pushing for U.S. approval to begin operations in international waters, despite existing international treaties.
Go deeper
- What are the environmental risks of seabed mining?
- How does international law govern seabed resources?
- What are the potential benefits of deep-sea mining?
More on these topics
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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The International Seabed Authority is an intergovernmental body based in Kingston, Jamaica, that was established to organize, regulate and control all mineral-related activities in the international seabed area beyond the limits of national jurisdiction,
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The Metals Company, formerly DeepGreen Metals, is a Canadian mining startup founded in 2011 by David and Robert Heydon. The company is focused on the deep sea mining of seafloor polymetallic nodules.