/ground-report/media/post_banners/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Source-Canva-18-1.webp)
Norway has become the first country to approve deep seabed mining. This is a type of industry that many companies are excited about because it can provide important minerals for things like electric batteries, solar panels, and some medicines. However, scientists and environmentalists are worried about it because it could harm the environment, especially the sea floor.
On Tuesday, Norway’s parliament voted to let companies explore for minerals on the seabed in a large part of the Arctic. This decision was made based on an agreement between the government and some opposition parties last month. This happened even though environmental activists were protesting against it.
Critical minerals for the energy transition
Norway, hoping to become the first country to make deep sea mining a reality on a commercial scale, made this political decision to ensure the obtaining of critical minerals for the energy transition, despite existing concerns about the environmental impact that this activity will generate.
In fact, despite numerous companies showing interest in beginning mineral extraction in various parts of the planet, authorities have not yet granted any exploitation permits. However, they have granted several dozen authorizations for drilling. Spain is one country that firmly opposes underwater mining.
There is still no established timeline for when exploration could begin, although the plan is to grant the winning companies exclusive rights for exploration and possible extraction of specific areas, according to Reuters.
A policy official told Reuters that they will base the process on the one established for Norwegian oil and gas exploration. They will discuss issues such as the amount and nature of taxes at a later stage.
"Now we are going to see if this can be done sustainably, and that is the step we have taken now," Energy Minister Terje Aasland told parliament.
The amended version of the government's proposal, which they debated on Tuesday, establishes stricter environmental requirements during the exploration phase than they originally planned.
Confrontation with the EU
The Norwegian Parliament's adoption of the measure clearly confronts the EU and the UK, who have called for a temporary ban on this practice due to existing threats of serious environmental damage.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the techniques used to harvest minerals from the seafloor could generate significant noise and light pollution, and could also damage the habitat of organisms that depend on the nodules.
In November, 120 EU lawmakers unusually wrote an open letter and called on the Norwegian parliament to reject the project due to the "risk of such activity for marine biodiversity and the acceleration of climate change." The BBC reports that the letter also claimed that Norway's impact assessment had too many gaps.
In addition to facing external criticism, the Norwegian government has also faced pushback from its own experts. The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (IMR) criticizes the government for making assumptions from the results of studies conducted in small, controlled areas and applying them to the larger areas planned for drilling. Experts estimate that they need five to ten more years of research to understand the impacts on the species.
Keep Reading
- Big win for Hasdeo Bachao Andolan, Project on hold
- Hasdeo Forest is in Danger, Chipko movement begins to save it
- Why are Gondalpura farmers protesting against Adani coal mines?
- New changes to forest conservation rules will destroy Tribals in India
Follow Ground Report for Climate Change and Under-Reported issues in India. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Koo App, Instagram, Whatsapp and YouTube. Write us on [email protected]
