Deep Sea Mining Rules Lack Consensus Despite US Pressure

• The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is still unable to finalize rules for deep sea metal extraction despite US pressure.

• The ISA’s executive council completed a line-by-line reading of the proposed “mining code” and its 107 regulations for exploitation of the ocean floor in international waters.

• The minerals and metals in question, such as cobalt, nickel, and manganese, are used for electric vehicles and other emerging technologies.

• Crucial sections of the proposed rules, including mechanisms for protecting the marine environment, are far from winning consensus.

• Chilean representative Salvador Vega Telias emphasized the need for a solid, equitable framework and scientific knowledge to identify potential impacts on the marine environment.

• The ISA session continues with the assembly of all 169 member states, following US President Donald Trump’s order to fast-track the granting of permits for deep sea mining.

• A draft text calls for the ISA’s legal and technical commission to investigate potential issues of non-compliance of contractors and report any instances of non-compliance or potential violations of the Law of the Sea