United Nations Begins Accepting Deep-Sea Mining Applications

The International Seabed Authority will start accepting applications from companies interested in deep-sea mining beginning in July, focusing on the extraction of cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese. These materials are essential for battery production and are found in rocks on the ocean floor at depths ranging from 4 to 6 kilometers. The Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the North Pacific, between Hawaii and Mexico, is rich in such rocks. In contrast, Louisa Casson from Greenpeace opposed this activity due to concerns about harm to whales and other forms of wildlife. She stated, "This irresponsible outcome is a missed opportunity to send a clear message that the era of ocean destruction is over." The Metals Company has made a deal to supply Glencore with the minerals. Its officials have often believed that the impact of deep-sea mining would be less than that of traditional land-based mineral extraction used in battery production.