The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi):The head of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), a United Nations body that regulates deep-sea mining, has highlighted the growing reality of mining the ocean floor for precious metals. This move is increasingly seen as unavoidable, according to Michael Lodge, the ISA’s secretary-general.
During a discussion with CNBC, Lodge pointed out the significant global interest in deep-sea mining, underlining its critical role in the transition to renewable energy, as reported by Interesting Engineering.
The ISA, created 30 years ago to oversee mining in roughly half of the world’s oceans, is preparing for discussions on deep-sea mining in Kingston, Jamaica. Lodge points out that the increase in interest is due to the commercial appeal, with the ocean offering more minerals at possibly cheaper rates than mining on land.
The debated method entails utilizing large equipment to harvest metals such as cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese, which are present in nodules about the size of potatoes on the seabed. These minerals are crucial for numerous technologies, including batteries for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels. Even with the potential for resource extraction and the use of sophisticated technology, worries about the environmental impact remain.
Foreseeing unavoidable damage to ecosystems. Researchers warn that it’s difficult to fully understand the environmental effects of deep-sea mining. Environmental organizations dispute its sustainability, foreseeing certain ecosystem damage and the loss of species.
Despite the uncertainties, Norway has recently given the green light to a proposal that would allow deep-sea mining in a large oceanic area, highlighting the increasing worldwide interest in this activity.
Lodge points out the absence of definitive proof concerning the possible harmful effects of deep-sea mining, underscoring the careful and gradual exploration that has been in progress for more than three decades. He refers to recent technological trials that indicate a comparatively minor environmental footprint than other types of mining.
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) Council, which includes 36 member countries, is working towards completing regulations for deep-sea mining by July 2025. Meanwhile, 24 nations globally have requested a halt or pause on the industry, and leading companies such as Google, Samsung, and Volvo have committed to avoiding the procurement of minerals from the ocean floor.
Campaigners are worried that activities related to exploration and extraction in the deep sea might cause irreversible changes to marine ecosystems, about which there is still much to learn. However, Lodge maintains that technological advancements are ongoing, and the latest outcomes from technology trials suggest a smaller impact on the environment in comparison to traditional mining techniques.
Amid increasing worries, the global demand for minerals essential for the energy transition is rising sharply. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has issued a warning that the existing mineral supplies are insufficient to meet the requirements for transforming the energy sector.
Lodge underscores the pressing nature of the issue, stating that the circumstances are “dire.” He points out that as the need for critical minerals is projected to surge, the existing reserves on land and their production levels may not meet future demands. This makes the prospect of mining in the deep sea a compelling alternative.
As the International Seabed Authority (ISA) prepares for debates, the future of deep-sea mining remains uncertain. Nations are considering the economic gains alongside possible environmental impacts, while the global community tackles the challenge of finding sustainable ways to meet the escalating demand for minerals crucial for energy transitions.
In 1987, India was the first country to gain the title of pioneer investor from the ISA, getting exclusive rights to explore and develop an area of 75,000 square kilometres in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) for polymetallic nodules. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has carefully planned long-term projects that include surveying, assessing the environment, and creating deep-sea technology. These projects are being carried out in a detailed and scientific manner.
India is working on establishing dependable deep-sea mining to access the ocean’s wealth in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB), believed to contain approximately 380 million tonnes of polymetallic nodules. These nodules have an estimated 4.7 million tonnes of nickel, 4.29 million tonnes of copper, 0.55 million tonnes of cobalt, and 92.59 million tonnes of manganese. By tapping into these vast mineral reserves, India aims to achieve self-reliance in these essential metals and reduce its dependence on external supply chains.
India has significantly boosted its Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) by allocating a budget of Rs 4,077 crore for five years starting from 2021-22. The technology for mining deep-sea resources, which is not only technically demanding but also carries strategic importance, is not readily available on the commercial market. The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) is dedicatedly advancing the development of this intricate homegrown technology in stages. It has successfully developed an in-situ soil tester and demonstrated its functionality at a depth of 5,462 meters at the Test mine site.
A trial was conducted for a mining machine’s movement and agility at a depth of 5,270 meters in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) to evaluate how different systems perform under high hydrostatic pressure and low temperatures. The machine functioned for 2.5 hours and travelled 120 meters, marking it as the first machine of its kind to work at such depth while connected by a tether. It is now being enhanced with additional components like a mechanical pickup, collection system, crusher, feeder, and pumping system.
At the same time, efforts are underway to create an Unmanned Remotely Operable Vehicle (ROSUB 6000) capable of reaching depths of up to 6,000 meters, alongside a manned submersible named MATSYA, which can carry three people and is designed for depths of up to 6,000 meters. These developments are part of Mission Samudrayaan, aimed at exploring and extracting deep-sea minerals.
The agreement between the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for the exploration of Polymetallic nodules was first established in 2002 for a 15-year term and has since been renewed twice for five years each in 2017 and 2022. Moreover, in 2016, a separate agreement was signed for the exploration of Polymetallic Sulphides in the Central Indian Ridge and Southwest Indian Ridge areas. These initiatives align with India’s self-reliance vision, known as ‘Atmanirbharta’. (IPA Service)
By Girish Linganna. The author is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru.