A company advocating for deep-sea mining is forming closer ties with the Trump administration after facing challenges in international discussions for several years.
The nation of Nauru initially backed The Metals Company (TMC) in its pursuit of deep-sea mining. This endorsement in 2021 sparked an urgent need for regulations before TMC or other entities commenced the extraction of minerals in international waters intended for use in rechargeable batteries.
Concerns quickly arose among scientists, environmental advocates, and policymakers about the repercussions of mining the ocean’s depths. Notably, it is said that the surface of the Moon is mapped more thoroughly than the ocean floor, where researchers continue to uncover remarkable findings, prompting questions about how mining activities could affect marine ecosystems and the coastal communities dependent on them.
The US could become a more formidable ally for TMC under President Trump, who is focused on rolling back environmental protections and promoting drilling initiatives.
Discussions surrounding the creation of deep-sea mining regulations are ongoing at the International Seabed Authority (ISA), an organization birthed from the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. While Nauru and over 160 other nations have ratified this convention, the United States remains a non-signatory. Given President Trump’s agenda to relax environmental regulations, it seems the US may strengthen its support for TMC.
TMC reported yesterday that it has engaged with White House officials and intends to secure permits under the current US mining code to launch mineral extraction in high seas. TMC CEO Gerard Barron highlighted in a press release that after a thorough legal review and positive discussions with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other U.S. officials, they view the United States as providing a reliable and clear regulatory framework.
This announcement sent ripples through ISA meetings taking place in Kingston, Jamaica, this month, drawing sharp criticisms from organizations opposed to deep-sea mining, accusing TMC of bypassing an international regulatory framework.
Emma Wilson, a policy officer at the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, stated that TMC’s actions cross a precarious line by risking a breach of international laws and undermining multilateral cooperation.
The coalition, alongside over 30 countries, advocates for a moratorium on deep-sea mining until regulatory measures are established that could mitigate possible environmental damage. Progress on these regulations has been sluggish, primarily due to researchers advocating for extended studies into deep-sea conditions to fully comprehend the risks involved.
Recently, scientists uncovered contentious evidence of “dark oxygen” emanating from the ocean floor. The mechanisms of this oxygen production remain unclear since it typically arises from photosynthesis, which necessitates sunlight. A study published in the journal Nature Geoscience proposed that an unknown process involving polymetallic nodules might be responsible for this phenomenon, raising concerns regarding the interdependence of marine life and the potential interference caused by deep-sea mining activities. TMC, which initially funded the research, later distanced itself from the study, criticizing the methodology as “flawed,” while other mining corporations and independent scholars have questioned the findings.
The researchers speculated that the polymetallic nodules, which are abundant in nickel, copper, cobalt, iron, and manganese, could generate enough electrical charge to split seawater, thereby releasing oxygen through electrolysis. These nodules are the very minerals that TMC and other mining firms are keen to extract in response to rising demand for battery components used in electric vehicles and rechargeable gadgets. Furthermore, recent studies indicate that deep-sea mining could result in irreversible ecological damage and produce noise levels that disrupt communication among marine mammals.
TMC maintains that its data indicates that deep-sea mining poses fewer risks compared to terrestrial mining. In a communication with Technology News, CEO Gerard Barron asserted that TMC complies fully with international regulations.
The New York Times reported that “drafts are now circulating of an executive order President Trump will be asked to sign” that would endorse mining in international waters, arguing that the US’s non-ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea provides grounds for such actions. As of now, the Trump administration has not responded to requests for comments from Technology News.
Louisa Casson, a senior campaigner with Greenpeace International, remarked that numerous entities, including states, civil society organizations, scientists, corporations, and Indigenous populations, continue to oppose these initiatives. She asserted that after failed attempts to sway the international community in their favor, TMC’s recent declaration represents a disregard for global collaboration.
