A Selective History of Seabed Mining
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1873
Polymetallic nodules were found in deep seabed by the H.M.S Challenger in 1873, beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. The idea of seabed mining came into focus in 1960 when an American engineer John L. Mero had written The Mineral Resource of the Sea. It wasn’t until the 1960s that the technology for commercial harvesting of these nodules were produced. Since the materials are outside the limits of natural jurisdiction ownership of these resources were available to any country that had the technology to reach it.
HMS Challenger in St Thomas, West Indies, March 1873 (archives of the Natural History Museum, London).
Polymetallic nodules were found in deep seabed by the H.M.S Challenger in 1873, beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. The idea of seabed mining came into focus in 1960 when an American engineer John L. Mero had written The Mineral Resource of the Sea. It wasn’t until the 1960s that the technology for commercial harvesting of these nodules were produced. Since the materials are outside the limits of natural jurisdiction ownership of these resources were available to any country that had the technology to reach it.
HMS Challenger in St Thomas, West Indies, March 1873 (archives of the Natural History Museum, London).
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1967
Dr. Pardo was the Permanent Representative of Malta to the United Nations, at the UN General Assembly of 1967 Arvid Pardo proposed ‘common heritage of mankind’ (CHM), any resource taken outside of national jurisdiction should go toward peaceful purposes and interest of the international community.
Arvid Pardo siting for a photo
Dr. Pardo was the Permanent Representative of Malta to the United Nations, at the UN General Assembly of 1967 Arvid Pardo proposed ‘common heritage of mankind’ (CHM), any resource taken outside of national jurisdiction should go toward peaceful purposes and interest of the international community.
Arvid Pardo siting for a photo
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1973
During the 1973 United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea part III (INCLOSIII) distinct alliances began to form based on ideology of who the deep sea-bed resources are available to. Group 77 represented more undeveloped countries and pushed for a more balanced and equitable distribution of the profits on an international level. They pushed for the development of the International Sea-Bed Authority (ISA) for common management and properly distributing the financial resources.
The logo for group 77
During the 1973 United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea part III (INCLOSIII) distinct alliances began to form based on ideology of who the deep sea-bed resources are available to. Group 77 represented more undeveloped countries and pushed for a more balanced and equitable distribution of the profits on an international level. They pushed for the development of the International Sea-Bed Authority (ISA) for common management and properly distributing the financial resources.
The logo for group 77
1982
By 1982 a compromise was reached between the Western States and Group 77 to establish ISA for approval of all mineral exploration sources, however all deep-sea mining resources were considered ‘common heritage of mankind’ (CHM). UNCLOS part XI initiated legal guidelines on international sea-bed mining in relation to marine scientific research. This is still a hot debate topic today by the international community and commercialized sea-bed mining operations.
By 1982 a compromise was reached between the Western States and Group 77 to establish ISA for approval of all mineral exploration sources, however all deep-sea mining resources were considered ‘common heritage of mankind’ (CHM). UNCLOS part XI initiated legal guidelines on international sea-bed mining in relation to marine scientific research. This is still a hot debate topic today by the international community and commercialized sea-bed mining operations.
2014
The ISA has been developing the Mining Code since 2014, however due to Covid 19 the plans got pushed to 2023 because of the “2-year rule”. This was triggered by the state of Nauru to accelerate negotiation for operation. If the ISA fails to complete the Mining Code, the deep sea-bed mining operation can be approved without formal guidelines in place and a lack of knowledge regarding the operation's environmental long-term consequences. Requests for commercial operation are specifically being made in the Pacific's Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) between Hawaii and California.
The ISA has been developing the Mining Code since 2014, however due to Covid 19 the plans got pushed to 2023 because of the “2-year rule”. This was triggered by the state of Nauru to accelerate negotiation for operation. If the ISA fails to complete the Mining Code, the deep sea-bed mining operation can be approved without formal guidelines in place and a lack of knowledge regarding the operation's environmental long-term consequences. Requests for commercial operation are specifically being made in the Pacific's Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) between Hawaii and California.
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2023
In March 2023 the United Nations signed the High Seas Treaty to establish international protection of the ocean. The initial treaty negotiations had started almost 20 years ago in an effort to protect a third of the sea and land by 2030. The agreement was reached between 193 nations as a foundation to protect the international oceans against loss of wildlife and periodic meetings to account for governance and biodiversity. The head of the African Group and ambassador Michael Imran Kanu believes this treaty is a step in the right direction, making the economic benefits of the high sea fair and equitable. The currently signed agreement allows existing bodies in charge of regulating activities such as fisheries, shipping, and deep-sea mining to operate without performing an environmental impact assessment. This is laid out in the treaty, but the entities are ‘grandfathered’ into the system, and therefore are not enforced under this treaty. There are currently only 16 contractors approved to work in the area once ISA 2023 guidelines are in place. The ISA had nine current Areas of Particular Environmental Interest (APEIs) to protect the biodiversity and habitats in the area. Currently ISA has issued 31 exploration contracts to collect data on sites before the deep sea-bed mining can operate. Presently commercial exploitation permits are being approved but must not take place in international waters for now because it is illegal. The hard deadline for ISA to create a legal guide is due July 2023 otherwise operations can begin.
In March 2023 the United Nations signed the High Seas Treaty to establish international protection of the ocean. The initial treaty negotiations had started almost 20 years ago in an effort to protect a third of the sea and land by 2030. The agreement was reached between 193 nations as a foundation to protect the international oceans against loss of wildlife and periodic meetings to account for governance and biodiversity. The head of the African Group and ambassador Michael Imran Kanu believes this treaty is a step in the right direction, making the economic benefits of the high sea fair and equitable. The currently signed agreement allows existing bodies in charge of regulating activities such as fisheries, shipping, and deep-sea mining to operate without performing an environmental impact assessment. This is laid out in the treaty, but the entities are ‘grandfathered’ into the system, and therefore are not enforced under this treaty. There are currently only 16 contractors approved to work in the area once ISA 2023 guidelines are in place. The ISA had nine current Areas of Particular Environmental Interest (APEIs) to protect the biodiversity and habitats in the area. Currently ISA has issued 31 exploration contracts to collect data on sites before the deep sea-bed mining can operate. Presently commercial exploitation permits are being approved but must not take place in international waters for now because it is illegal. The hard deadline for ISA to create a legal guide is due July 2023 otherwise operations can begin.