Politics Halt Norwegian Deep-Sea Mining, Environmentalists Look Toward Japan

Norway has stopped its deep-sea mining plans due to political pressure. Environmentalists focus on Japan's aspirations as the International Seabed Authority (ISA) develops sea mining regulations.

What happened? Norwegian government conceded to demands from the Socialist Left Party in exchange for their support for the annual budget. This pause halted what would have been the country's first deep-sea mining licensing round, initially planned for 2025.

The political compromise reflects growing global opposition to deep-sea mining. Ecological risks and insufficient research into long-term consequences support the cautious approach despite the allure of critical mineral exploitation.

Activists, scientists, and fishing communities hailed the halt as a landmark victory for ocean protection. "After extensive work by environmentalists and scientists, we've secured a historic win for the oceans," stated Haldis Tjeldflaat Helle from Greenpeace Nordic.

Following the announcement, Norwegian deep-sea mining startup Green Minerals lost over 30% of its market cap. Despite the setback, the company maintains optimism, projecting that licensing might resume in 2026. Meanwhile, the government continues preparatory work, including environmental impact assessments and regulatory groundwork, keeping the possibility of future mining operations open as the situation could change after the next parliamentary elections scheduled for September 2025.

Why it matters? Norway's decision aligns with international scrutiny of deep-sea mining led by the ISA. Under the leadership of Brazilian environmentalist Leticia Carvalho, appointed in July, the ISA is formulating global regulations for seabed mining. Advocates argue these regulations are essential to balance the demand for critical minerals and environmental protection.

Meanwhile, Japan's discovery of manganese nodules, valued at over $26 billion, shows the stakes involved – particularly for an island nation heavily relying on mineral resources imports. These nodules are rich in minerals critical for EV batteries but rest 5,700 meters below sea level.

However, research led by Travis Washburn revealed alarming environmental consequences: a 43% drop in fish and shrimp populations following small-scale mining tests. "The impact of deep-sea mining could be bigger than anticipated," Washburn cautioned.

If deep-sea mining proceeds, it must be under strict regulations that preserve ocean biodiversity—particularly after discovering that these minerals might play a role in oxygen production.

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Photo by Sergey Novikov via Shutterstock