Norway approves the extraction of minerals from the seabed, which has some advantages and very serious disadvantages

On January 9, 2024, the Norwegian Parliament approved a legal reform that allows the progressive opening of the seabed to mining exploitation. This decision, which could make Norway the first country in the world to commercialize deep-sea mining, has been met with mixed reactions, with supporters and detractors highlighting both the advantages and disadvantages of this new activity.

Supporters of seabed mineral extraction point to a number of potential advantages, including:

• Its contribution to the economy: deep sea mining could generate thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of euros in tax revenue for Norway.
• Its role in the energy transition: minerals extracted from the seabed are essential for the manufacture of green technologies, such as batteries, solar panels and electric motors.
• Its potential to reduce dependence on foreign resources: Norway has significant reserves of critical minerals, which would allow it to reduce its dependence on foreign supplies.

Specifically, minerals extracted from the seabed are essential for the manufacture of:

• Batteries: Lithium, cobalt and nickel are essential for the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, which are used in a wide range of electronic devices, from mobile phones to electric vehicles.
• Solar panels: Silicon, copper and indium are necessary for the manufacture of solar panels, which are a clean and renewable source of energy.
• Electric motors: copper, nickel and cobalt are used in the manufacture of electric motors, which are more efficient than internal combustion engines and produce fewer polluting emissions.

In summary, it can be said that the decision is purely economic. Norway could provide work for more people, having new industrial activity, and could provide materials necessary to manufacture technological products, which are currently available in other countries. Materials that will continue to be scarce in the future, and that will have a high value.

Photo by Suki Lee

Critics of seabed mineral extraction highlight a series of potential risks, including:

• Its environmental impacts: deep sea mining could cause significant damage to the marine environment, affecting biodiversity, water quality and climate.
• Its social impact: deep sea mining could displace coastal communities and generate social conflicts.
• Its cost: deep sea mining is an expensive and high-risk activity, which could hinder its profitability.

Specifically, the potential environmental impacts of deep sea mining include:

• Water pollution: mining waste, such as heavy metals and chemicals, could contaminate seawater, affecting marine organisms.
• Habitat destruction: mining operations could destroy marine habitat, affecting species that live at the bottom of the sea.
• Climate change: Deep sea mining could contribute to climate change as it generates greenhouse gas emissions.

And there is a very delicate issue, which is the sustainability of these mining activities. The question of whether the extraction of minerals from the seabed is sustainable or not is very complex and has not yet been resolved, as it is very difficult to establish in advance the environmental damage that may be created.

Ultimately, the sustainability of seabed mineral extraction will depend on a series of factors, including:

• The development of more environmentally friendly technologies: Such as the use of underwater robots for mineral extraction, could reduce the environmental impacts of the activity.
• Enforcing strict environmental regulations: Enforcing strict environmental regulations could help protect the marine environment from the impacts of mining.
• Involving local communities: Involving local communities in decision-making about deep-sea mining could help reduce social conflicts.

The approval of seabed mineral extraction in Norway is an important milestone that could have a significant impact on the environment, economy and society. The sustainability of this activity will depend on a series of factors, which must be carefully considered before launching it on a large scale.

Past experiences tell us that economic pressures and interests end up taking precedence over other types of reasons, and thus we continue to deplete and degrade our planet.

I think it's a pretty sad decision.