Trump's deep-sea mining pursuits stir ecological concerns
The Trump administration is considering initiating deep-sea mining to harvest key minerals. The ocean floor harbours valuable elements such as copper, cobalt, and many others. However, deep-sea mining is fraught with numerous controversies.
The ocean floor, one of the most mysterious and least explored areas, has the potential to enrich global economies and companies with its mineral resources. These minerals are crucial for modern industries and the transition towards renewable energy. Minerals like copper, nickel, and cobalt are essential for manufacturing electronic devices and electric vehicle batteries, as well as being vital for renewable energy sectors.
Minerals as valuable as oil
Traditional sources of minerals are becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to access, leading to growing interest in the ocean floor from mining companies and global economies. Underwater deposits could be a potential solution; however, extracting them presents challenges, both ecological and technological, which require careful consideration.
Trump plans expansion into ocean depths
According to The Wall Street Journal, deep-sea mining might gain momentum under the Trump administration. Economies worldwide, including the United States, are eyeing underwater territories in the hope of profit. The International Seabed Authority, a UN organisation, is responsible for regulating deep-sea mining in international waters. It has recently received a request from the American company The Metals Company to engage in ocean floor activities.
Elise Stefanik and Marco Rubio are expected to oversee deep-sea mining regulation under the Trump administration. Stefanik, nominated for UN ambassador, and Rubio, anticipated to lead the State Department, will negotiate with other countries to establish rules for this type of activity. Their task will be to shape international regulations and agreements concerning deep-sea mining.
A threat to ecosystems
Extracting minerals from the ocean floor can significantly impact the marine environment. The primary threats posed by this practice include the disruption of deep-sea ecosystems, which are highly sensitive and have slow recovery rates. Even minor alterations in this environment can result in enduring, difficult-to-repair effects. The planned extraction of mineral-laden nodules could deprive organisms living in the depths of a crucial energy source, potentially threatening entire ecosystems.
Moreover, the mining process creates sediment plumes that can persist for decades, polluting the water and disrupting marine life. Such pollution can block access to oxygen and light for organisms reliant on these resources, potentially leading to their extinction.
While extracting minerals from the ocean floor is enticing due to their importance in modern technologies, its environmental impact could be long-lasting and challenging to reverse, with some changes potentially being irreversible within a human lifetime.
