With the International Seabed Authority facing intense debates and environmental concerns, 170 nations gather to negotiate the future of deep-sea mining amidst unresolved issues in the mining code

Close to 170 member states and the European Union have gathered in Jamaica for a two-week-long negotiation on deep-sea mining, a highly contentious issue that has drawn increased attention from industries and environmental groups alike.

The talks are taking place during the 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), an autonomous international body responsible for developing the mining code for deep-sea mining and ensuring the protection of the marine environment. Deep-sea mining, which involves extracting minerals like copper, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements from depths below 200 meters, has been under scrutiny due to its potential to cause irreversible damage to marine ecosystems.

Despite the ongoing negotiations, mining companies seem eager to move forward. The Canada-based Metals Company has declared its intention to submit an exploitation plan for deep-sea mining as early as June 2025, pushing for progress even though the regulations are still in development.

The draft mining code is facing numerous issues, with more than 30 major concerns remaining unresolved, including disagreements over environmental baseline data and monitoring mechanisms. A report published in Marine Policy in November 2024 noted that 13 critical issues are still under discussion, while others face a lack of consensus.

Proponents of deep-sea mining argue that it is necessary to secure metals essential for the global energy transition, claiming that terrestrial mining alone will not meet growing demand. However, critics, such as the European Academies’ Science Advisory Council, have called for a focus on recycling and technological innovation instead of relying on the exploitation of virgin minerals.

A key point of contention is the ‘two-year rule,’ which came into effect after Nauru’s notification in 2021 about the intention of Nauru Ocean Resources Inc. to apply for an exploitation contract. The rule stipulates that the ISA must adopt mining regulations within two years of such a notification, adding pressure for expedited negotiations.

While the debate continues, some nations, including India, are already moving ahead with exploration contracts. India currently holds two active exploration contracts in the Indian Ocean and has submitted additional applications for 2024. European countries, including Norway, are also pursuing mining projects, with plans to extract minerals from their exclusive economic zones.