San Juan Puerto Rico — A UN body that regulates international deep waters is preparing to elect its next leader, a crucial position as it faces pressure to ban, approve or impose a moratorium. seabed mining.
The upcoming elections come as the International Seabed Authority, based in Jamaica, ends. a two week session on Friday without reaching a consensus on a regulatory framework for deep sea mining.
The prolonged debate raises concerns that the authority could receive an application later this year for the first deep-sea mining license without rules or regulations in place.
The Metals Company, a mining company based in Canada, is expected to be the first to apply for such a license.
Mining exploration has been ongoing in the Clarion-Clipperton fracture zone, which covers 1.7 million square miles (4.5 million square kilometers) between Hawaii and Mexico. It occurs at depths ranging from 13,000 to 19,000 feet (4,000 to 6,000 meters).
However, no operating licenses have been issued. That could soon change, as some companies and countries are eager to mine the seabed and meet growing demand for precious metals, including cobalt, nickel and copper, which are used in green technology.
Scientists have warned that deep-sea minerals take millions of years to form, and that their extraction could trigger choking noises, lights and dust storms.
More than two dozen countries have called for a ban, pause or moratorium on deep-sea mining. Companies such as BMW and Samsung SDI have also committed to not using raw materials from deep sea mining.
However, advocates of deep-sea mining say it is cheaper and has less impact than land-based mining.
Olav Myklebust, chairman of the authority’s board, told reporters on Friday that there are still outstanding issues regarding the proposed regulatory framework, including inspection, compliance and enforcement and how best to determine payments related to exploitation.
He and general secretary Michael Lodge, who is seeking a third term, did not say whether exploitation should begin despite the absence of rules and regulations.
“It is the council and the member states that decide these issues,” Lodge said.
He seeks to lead the International Seabed Authority for another four years, but faces a challenge from Leticia Carvalho, a Brazilian oceanographer and former oil and gas regulator.
Lodge has also faced accusations of financial irregularities within the authority, which he has rejected.
The authority is scheduled to elect its next leader on August 2.
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