International Regulators Condemn Seabed Mining Company’s Move to Circumvent Authority

By Todd Woody

On Mar 29, international regulators issued a strong condemnation of a seabed mining company’s attempt to bypass their authority by seeking approval from the Trump administration to extract critical minerals from untouched ocean ecosystems.

The Metals Company (TMC) announced its intention to obtain a US government license to mine metals used in green technologies from a region of the Pacific Ocean controlled by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), a UN-affiliated organization that regulates deep-sea exploitation. This move occurred while ISA delegates were meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, to draft rules for mining operations in international waters.

ISA Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho and members of the organization’s Council strongly criticized TMC’s actions, stating that it undermined the ISA’s authority over more than half of the global seabed and its responsibility to manage it for the benefit of humanity.

TMC, holding an ISA license sponsored by Nauru, expressed frustration over lengthy negotiations for regulations governing deep-sea mining activities, delaying the start of mining operations. The company is now seeking US permission to mine its ISA license area, potentially violating international law and the principles of multilateralism.

Despite TMC’s application for a US mining license, it plans to submit an ISA mining contract in June, contingent on the presence of regulations, including environmental protections. ISA delegates have emphasized the necessity of robust environmental rules before approving any mining contracts.

As the ISA Council prepares to address TMC’s application at its upcoming meeting in July, calls for a moratorium on mining until the full environmental impact is understood have been made by several member nations, underscoring the importance of sustainable deep-sea resource management.

Ultimately, the ISA members are urged not to be swayed by external pressures, maintaining their commitment to upholding international agreements and protecting the common resources of the ocean.

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