Former President Donald Trump has signed an order to speed up deep-sea mining approvals. The move tells the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to act faster in giving mining permits. The goal is to boost U.S. access to minerals like nickel, cobalt, and manganese. These minerals are key for making electric cars, batteries, and clean energy tools.
Trump said the order would help the U.S. become a world leader in seabed mining. Soon after, a Canadian company called the Metals Company said it would seek U.S. permits to mine in international waters.
However, environmental groups and scientists are warning of the dangers. They say the rush to mine the deep ocean could hurt fragile marine life forever.
Scientists Warn About Ocean Damage
Experts say the risk is not only at the sea floor. Mining could hurt the entire ocean system. It could harm fish, upset the ocean’s carbon storage, and cause a loss of many sea animals and plants.
More than 30 countries, along with fishing groups, green groups, and even some tech companies, want a halt on deep-sea mining. They are asking for a worldwide pause until more is known about the risks.
“Deep-sea mining threatens not just the ocean floor, but the entire water column,” said Jeff Watters from Ocean Conservancy. He explained that mining stirs up dust and waste, which can move far from the mining site and damage life all around.
U.S. Skips International Rules
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) was set up in the 1990s to manage deep-sea mining. It was supposed to create fair rules for all countries. But the U.S. never joined the ISA. This means there are no clear U.S. rules for mining in deep waters.
Legal experts warn that this could be a problem. If the U.S. starts mining without global rules, other countries might do the same. This could lead to a race to mine the ocean, with little care for the damage it could cause.
Many experts say there needs to be strong, clear rules to protect the oceans before any mining happens.
Minerals Are Key for Green Energy
Some people argue that deep-sea mining is necessary. Assheton Stewart Carter from TDi Sustainability said these minerals are needed for green technology like solar panels and electric cars.
Without deep-sea mining, it may be hard to meet the world’s climate goals. Land sources of minerals are getting harder to find, and mining on land often comes with human rights problems.
Still, many scientists say the risks to the ocean are too great. Katie Matthews, chief scientist at Oceana, said, “Rushing deep-sea mining for corporate gain is reckless. Without proper safeguards, we risk catastrophic damage to our oceans.”
Fragile Ecosystems at Risk
The deep ocean is a world full of life we barely understand. Strange fish, corals, and other creatures live in dark, cold waters. Many of these species have not even been discovered yet.
Mining would scrape the sea floor, crush habitats, and create large dust clouds. These could smother creatures and block food sources.
Scientists say that once these ecosystems are damaged, they may never recover. Some believe the deep ocean holds keys to new medicines and important discoveries. Losing it would be a huge loss for everyone.
Race for Resources Could Lead to Trouble
Countries around the world are rushing to find critical minerals. The demand is growing fast, thanks to the move toward clean energy. However, many fear that in the rush, the oceans could pay the price.
Without global rules, each country could act on its own. This could lead to fights over mining areas, damaged ecosystems, and even more threats to ocean health.
Experts say it is important to slow down and create strong protections before mining starts. Many call for a full halt to mining until more research is done.
A Risky Path Ahead
Trump’s executive order has opened the door for faster deep-sea mining. Supporters see it as a way to get critical minerals and boost green energy. But many experts fear it could cause lasting harm to our oceans.
The U.S. now faces a big choice. It can lead the way in protecting the oceans or risk damaging them in the rush for resources.