Greenpeace says planned submission of deep sea mining application in 2024 by The Metals Company disregards international objections; majority of governments in International Seabed Authority voice opposition to allowing mining to begin in short-term

WASHINGTON, DC (August 3, 2023)–In response to The Metals Company’s Announcement to submit a deep sea mining application following the July 2024 meeting of the International Seabed Authority, Greenpeace USA’s Deep Sea Mining campaign lead Arlo Hemphill said: “The recent announcement by The Metals Company (TMC) to submit a deep sea mining application in 2024 goes against the growing wave of global objections to this destructive industry. It is the latest manifestation of the industry’s reckless and aggressive profit-driven approach to circumvent international political processes. They are trying to force the hands of global governments to allow them to start mining before any form of international agreement is made on how and if such an activity should be allowed to move forward. Despite the outlier country of Nauru pushing for progress without regulations and a few pro-mining governments advocating for a quicker timeline, the ISA’s member states placed no caveats on their decision that mining should not proceed until the code is completed. TMC should respect that.”

TMC, traded on the NASDAQ, has been actively courting US investment for its deep sea mining ventures and opportunities to use US infrastructure, such as ports, in its production chain. Together with nine members of Congress, they recently submitted a letter to President Biden and the Pentagon, urging the Administration to consider deep-sea mining for minerals and military applications. TMC subsidiary NORI and its offshore partner and shareholder Allseas are now planning to increase the production capacity of the Project Zero Offshore System by 130%. U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) also recently introduced two measures calling for a moratorium on deep seabed mining unless and until its consequences are fully understood and an appropriate protective regulatory regime is established. The company has seen its share price plummet during the 3-week ISA meeting and in the days following the decision of its assembly.

Hemphill continued: “Representative Case has taken commendable action to protect the deep sea from further destruction and ensure that the United States is on the right side of history. With the current ecological and climate crises, it is crucial to conserve the last remaining untouched wilderness on earth, which plays a crucial role in the battle against climate change. We cannot entrust the future of this vital and life-sustaining ecosystem to desperate corporate entities that have demonstrated their inability to act in the public’s best interest. TMC’s plan for increased production is a desperate cash grab that also sets the stage for more environmental impacts. Governments must act as responsible stewards of the ocean, prioritizing conservation and protection over exploitation. They must listen to the science that unequivocally shows that this industry threatens the oceans. Failure to do so would be a grave disservice to our planet and future generations.”

###

Notes

• Governments at the International Seabed Authority meetings in July agreed that they consider ‘that commercial exploitation of mineral resources in the Area should not be carried out in the absence of rules regulations and procedures related to exploitation’ and only agreed to ‘continue the elaboration of rules, regulations and procedures related to exploitation’ with a non-binding ‘view to their adoption during the thirtieth session of the Authority’ in 2025. TMC’s announcement that their wholly-owned subsidiary Nauru Ocean Resources Inc (NORI) intends to submit an application for a mining contract ‘following the July 2024 meeting’ therefore means they intend to apply to mine before any mining code (rules, regulations, standards and guidelines) is finalised or in place. 
• TMC state that they anticipate a ‘one-year review process’ and approval by governments; however governments have not yet reached an agreement on the decision-making process that would be used in the controversial situation of a mining application being submitted before a mining code is in place (paragraph 3 of July decision). There is therefore no basis for this assumption of a one-year review or approval, which pre-judges political negotiations.
• Over 20 governments now support a moratorium, ban or precautionary pause on deep sea mining. A majority of governments in the ISA Council voiced opposition to allowing mining to begin in the short-term, as governments have not concluded negotiations over whether to formally allow deep sea mining to start or not.

Contact: Tanya Brooks, Greenpeace USA Senior Communications Specialist, tbrooks@greenpeace.org, +1 (703) – 342- 9226

Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.