Canadian technology could be used to mine the deep seas, but there’s growing alarm over the risks
In the murky waters near Collingwood, Ont., a massive yellow machine equipped with metallic claws is delicately plucking tiny rock balls from the lakebed, causing sediment to swirl with each grab. Although it resembles a claw game found in arcades, for Impossible Metals, this operation serves as a preview of the technology they intend to employ over 10,000 kilometers away to extract mineral-rich nodules from the Pacific Ocean seabed. However, for a group of concerned scientists, this activity signals a worrying trend towards increased deep-sea mining, which they fear could have catastrophic consequences for the world’s oceans.
Published in the prestigious journal Nature, a coalition of environmental scientists from various countries, including Canada, are advocating for a complete ban on deep-sea mining. They argue that the underwater ecosystems are too vital to Earth’s habitability to risk for uncertain rewards. The scientists warn that deep-sea mining could disturb seabeds, releasing stored carbon – more than in shallower areas – thereby exacerbating climate change. Additionally, they highlight the limited knowledge about deep-sea life and emphasize the high risks associated with tapping into these resources.
Johan Rockström, one of the authors of the letter, stresses the urgent need for a moratorium on all forms of deep-sea exploitation beyond national jurisdictions. He underscores that the oceans play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s temperature, holding 90% of the excess heat trapped due to greenhouse gases. Rockström’s sentiments are echoed by a group of leading ocean and climate scientists, who are pushing for a ban on deep-sea mining while U.S. President Donald Trump aims to accelerate undersea mining approvals.
Impossible Metals, a company based in San Jose, Calif., with a technology division in Ontario, asserts that they can strike a balance between environmental protection and resource extraction. CEO Oliver Gunasekara showcases their autonomous underwater robot, the Eureka 2, which employs artificial intelligence to identify and avoid disrupting marine life while collecting mineral-rich nodules. Gunasekara emphasizes the necessity of these critical minerals for an increasingly electrified future and asserts that deep-sea mining is the most expedient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly means of acquiring them.
Despite the absence of commercial deep-sea mining operations currently, recent executive orders from the U.S. administration seek to facilitate mining within U.S. waters and beyond. Companies like The Metals Company are also vying to commence ocean mining. Rashid Sumaila, another author of the letter and a Canada Research Chair at the University of British Columbia, expresses concern that a handful of pro-mining companies and countries could override global apprehensions about deep-sea mining.
As countries convene for the United Nations Ocean Conference in France to discuss sustainable practices, the debate over deep-sea mining intensifies. While some advocate for the economic benefits and reduced foreign dependence that mining could offer, others stress the need to prioritize environmental conservation and the preservation of fragile marine ecosystems. The fate of deep-sea mining hangs in the balance as stakeholders grapple with the complex interplay between economic interests and environmental stewardship.
