Deep seabed mining: a rising environmental challenge

Cuyvers, Luc; Berry, Whtiney; Kristina, Gjerde; Thiele, Torsten; Caroline, Wilhelm

doi:10.2305/iucn.ch.2018.16.en

Cited by 42 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…A potential and topical sector for the promotion of the Blue Economy in our deep oceans is that of deep seabed mining for marine minerals and trace metals (Cuyvers et al, 2018;Lusty and Murton, 2018). The demand for minerals is increasing owing to reserves in land-based mines dwindling, as well as the potentially extensive environmental and social consequences of mining on land.…”

Section: Blue Economy In Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiativementioning

confidence: 99%

Successful Blue Economy Examples With an Emphasis on International Perspectives

et al. 2019

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Careful definition and illustrative case studies are fundamental work in developing a Blue Economy. As blue research expands with the world increasingly understanding its importance, policy makers and research institutions worldwide concerned with ocean and coastal regions are demanding further and improved analysis of the Blue Economy. Particularly, in terms of the management connotation, data access, monitoring, and product development, countries are making decisions according to their own needs. As a consequence of this lack of consensus, further dialogue including this cases analysis of the blue economy is even more necessary. This paper consists of four chapters: (I) Understanding the concept of Blue Economy, (II) Defining Blue economy theoretical cases, (III) Introducing Blue economy application cases and (IV) Providing an outlook for the future. Chapters (II) and (III) summarizes all the case studies into nine aspects, each aiming to represent different aspects of the blue economy. This paper is a result of knowledge and experience collected from across the global ocean observing community, and is only made possible with encouragement, support and help of all members. Despite the blue economy being a relatively new concept, we have demonstrated our promising exploration in a number of areas. We put forward proposals for the development of the blue economy, including shouldering global responsibilities to protect marine ecological environment, strengthening international communication and sharing development achievements, and promoting the establishment of global blue partnerships. However, there is clearly much room for further development in terms of the scope and depth of our collective understanding and analysis.

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Section: Blue Economy In Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiativementioning

confidence: 99%

Successful Blue Economy Examples With an Emphasis on International Perspectives

et al. 2019

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“…Their precipitation within polymetallic nodules across vast abyssal plains ( Figure 4a; Cho et al, 2018), in polymetallic crusts on seamounts ( Figure 4b; Yang et al 2019), and as apatite in phosphorite nod- Crosby and Bailey, 2012) is often mediated by microbes. Along with massive sulfides, precipitated at hydrothermal vents ( Figure 4d) when hot metal fluids encounter cold deep-sea waters, these crusts and nodules represent very large potential sources of copper, cobalt, nickel, lithium, silver, gold, tellurium, rare earth elements, and phosphate (Levin et al, 2016;Cuyvers et al, 2018). Canyons and other slope environments sequester large amounts of dead organic material from the surface ocean that accumulates over geological time and ultimately, through the action of microbes, yields fossil fuel hydrocarbons in the form of oil, natural gas, and gas hydrates (frozen methane ice).…”

Section: A Cornucopia Of Resourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability in Deep Water: The Challenges of Climate Change, Human Pressures, and Biodiversity Conservation

Levin¹

2019

Oceanog

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permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format as long as users cite the materials appropriately, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate the changes that were made to the original content. Images, animations, videos, or other third-party material used in articles are included in the Creative Commons license unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If the material is not included in the article's Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission directly from the license holder to reproduce the material.

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“…Commercial seabed mining may affect significant areas of the seabed. An estimated 1 million km b of seabed within the Area has been allocated for mineral exploration (Cuyvers et al, 2018).…”

Section: Danovaro Et Al 2017amentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In February 2018, Nautilus Minerals completed trials 1 of the deep-sea mining machines it plans to deploy in waters off Papua New Guinea before 2020 and, in March 2018, announced the launch of its seafloor production vehicle 2 . In September 2017, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced that it had completed successful trials of polymetallic mineral extraction from a depth of 1600 m off the coast of Okinawa, Japan (Cuyvers et al, 2018). These two examples indicate the urgency to establish a legal framework to ensure effective protection of the marine environment before commercial activities are considered.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seabed Mining and Approaches to Governance of the Deep Seabed

Thompson

Miller

Currie³

et al. 2018

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Commercial seabed mining seems imminent, highlighting the urgent need for coherent, effective policy to safeguard the marine environment. Reconciling seabed mining with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals will be difficult because minerals extraction will have irreversible consequences that could lead to the loss of habitats, species and ecosystems services. A dialog needs to take place around social, cultural, environmental and economic costs and benefits. Governance of human interactions with the seabed is fragmented and lacks transparency, with a heavy focus on facilitating exploitation rather than ensuring protection. In the light of high uncertainties and high stakes, we present a critical review of proposed policy options for the regulation of seabed mining activities, recommend actions to improve seabed governance and outline the alternatives to mining fragile deep-sea ecosystems.

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Deep seabed mining: a rising environmental challenge

Cited by 42 publications

References 17 publications

Successful Blue Economy Examples With an Emphasis on International Perspectives

Successful Blue Economy Examples With an Emphasis on International Perspectives

Sustainability in Deep Water: The Challenges of Climate Change, Human Pressures, and Biodiversity Conservation

Seabed Mining and Approaches to Governance of the Deep Seabed

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