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RNZ News
6 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Tonga weighs new deep sea mining deal with The Metals Company
The Metals Company is a key player in the deep sea mining industry. Photo: Facebook / The Metals Company Tonga is considering a new deep sea mining contract with Canadian mining group The Metals Company (TMC) - and a local NGO says the government should not sign it. The proposed contract comes at a time of increased uncertainty in the industry, with both the US and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) - the world's deep sea mining regulator - saying they offer a pathway to mine in international waters. The Metals Company has been a key player in that dynamic as it has sought to undertake mining activity under both jurisdictions. Civil Society Forum of Tonga's Drew Havea said the organisation had been invited by the Tonga government to consult on the proposed contract from TMC. Under international oceans law, Tonga has special rights in an area of the Pacific Ocean that has deep sea minerals. The country's existing contract with TMC covered mining activity for Tonga's block of that area, known as the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ). That contract was signed in 2021 by then Prime Minister Pohiva Tu'ionetoa through the ISA framework. Havea, who had not yet seen the proposed TMC contract, expected it would provide a path for Tonga and TMC to mine through the US as well as the ISA. Just last month, the company announced it had signed a new contract with Nauru, another one of its Pacific partners. That agreement detailed potential payment amounts to Nauru should mining occur through the US pathway. Nauru, like Tonga, has special rights in the CCZ under international oceans law. Havea said Tonga should use the current climate as a way of getting out of deep sea mining entirely. His organisation has been a long-standing opponent to Tonga's involvement in the industry. "We are the sponsor country, and sponsor country will be responsible for any damages to the ocean," he said. "It's not the will be responsible. And I think from that perspective, we are quite concerned that we will be liable." Havea believed TMC was already committed to mining through the US pathway - an observation backed by a previous statement from the company that it would only be seeking to mine commercially through the US pathway. Havea said that pathway did not feature in the current Tonga-TMC contract and therefore it would have to be set it out in a new contract "I know TMC has made the application to be part of the US [pathway]. So, from Civil Society [members], we hope that the Tongan government [doesn't] do anything. "Because once [TMC is] into the US mining [pathway], that means they are out of the ISA, and the contract that we have signed has binded us into the ISA." International environmental lawyer Lori Osmundsen said the existing TMC-Tonga contract raised a range of legal concerns for Tonga. In 2023, Osmundsen was commissioned by the Civil Society Forum of Tonga to evaluate the country's legislative framework for ocean issues and ocean management. That comprehensive review covered the existing Tonga-TMC contract and the circumstances of its signing in 2021. To this day, the organisation had not received a clear answer on whether the contract had been approved by Cabinet before it was signed, as required by the country's laws. "Now, there's a new sponsorship agreement between Nauru TMC subsidiary, which is called NORI, and the government of Nauru…that was signed at the very end of May," Osmundsen said. "That is publicly available. And….if that's the recipe for a similar proposed new agreement between Tonga and TMC, it sort of continues on the problems, the legal risks and hazards of the current agreement, and then adds a whole new set." Osmundsen said the major risk for Tonga in signing a TMC contract like Nauru's was that it opened itself up to being involved in a commercial mining arrangement under the US pathway. That pathway would sit outside international laws, and any activity undertaken by Tonga through it would breach the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, she said. The ISA has also announced it is investigating contractors that hold mining exploration permits under its jurisdiction to ensure they haven't breached the terms of their ISA contracts. That includes TMC and its partnerships with Tonga and Nauru. Notably, no commercial deep sea mining has occurred, and the ISA was still finalising a mining code. Osmundsen has urged Tonga to consider its next steps carefully. "The contract that resulted [in 2021] is quite disadvantageous for Tonga, and we don't need to repeat that," he said. "So greater scrutiny, greater awareness, availability to Tongan public stakeholders, all of governments to evaluate and weigh in on these incredibly important issues."
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
'Significant declines' in some species after deep-sea mining: research
Deep-sea mining could impact marine life stretching from the tiniest bottom dwellers to apex predators like swordfish and sharks, a major piece of industry-funded research found Thursday. The Metals Company -- a leading deep-sea mining firm -- paid Australia's government science agency to pore through data collected during test mining in the remote Pacific Ocean. Huge tracts of Pacific Ocean seabed are carpeted in polymetallic nodules, bulbous lumps of rock that are rich in metals used in battery production -- such as cobalt and nickel. The Metals Company is pushing to be the first to mine these nodules in international waters, striving to exploit a remote expanse known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Australia's government science agency released a series of technical reports on Thursday detailing how mining could be managed. Bottom-dwellers such as sea cucumbers, marine worms, starfish and crustaceans could see "significant declines in abundance immediately following mining", research found. Some of these species would partially bounce back within a year, but filter feeders and other tiny organisms that feast on seabed sediments showed "minimal recovery". "On the seafloor, our research shows that there are substantial local impacts from different mining operations," scientist Piers Dunstan said during a briefing. Deep-sea mining companies are still figuring out the best way to retrieve nodules that can lie five kilometres (three miles) or more beneath the waves. Most efforts focus on robotic harvesting machines, or crawlers, which hoover up nodules as they rove the ocean floor. The Australian scientists looked at how sharks and fish might be harmed by plumes of sediment discharged as mining waste. In some scenarios, apex predators could see toxic metals start to build up in their blood after prolonged exposure to these plumes. "Long-lived top predators, such as swordfish and large sharks, accumulated the highest simulated metal concentrations," scientists noted in one report. 'Risk of harm' Simulations showed blood metal concentrations would not exceed international health guidelines, and impacts were less pronounced if sediment was discharged at a greater depth. "This project helps ensure that if deep-sea mining were to go ahead, there is a clear approach to understand potential risks and impacts to marine life and ecosystems," Dunstan said. Canada-based The Metals Company is striving to start industrial deep-sea mining in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone within the next two years. The International Seabed Authority -- which oversees deep-sea mining in international waters -- has yet to adopt long-awaited rules governing the industry. The Metals Company has indicated it could forge ahead even without the authority's approval, pointing to an obscure US law that says American citizens can recover seabed minerals in areas beyond the nation's jurisdiction. The firm paid Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation -- or CSIRO -- around US$1 million to compile the reports. CSIRO stressed it was not for, or against, deep-sea mining -- but that its work would help to measure and monitor impacts should it go ahead. Energy transition expert Tina Soliman-Hunter said it was one of the "most comprehensive" pieces of research on deep-sea mining to date. "Without such research, there is a risk of harm from mining activities that can persist for generations," said Soliman-Hunter, from Australia's Macquarie University. Found in international waters between Mexico and Hawaii, the Clarion-Clipperton Zone is a vast abyssal plain spanning some 4 million square kilometres (1.7 million square miles).
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
'Significant declines' in some species after deep-sea mining: research
Deep-sea mining could impact marine life stretching from the tiniest bottom dwellers to apex predators like swordfish and sharks, a major piece of industry-funded research found Thursday. The Metals Company -- a leading deep-sea mining firm -- paid Australia's government science agency to pore through data collected during test mining in the remote Pacific Ocean. Huge tracts of Pacific Ocean seabed are carpeted in polymetallic nodules, bulbous lumps of rock that are rich in metals used in battery production -- such as cobalt and nickel. The Metals Company is pushing to be the first to mine these nodules in international waters, striving to exploit a remote expanse known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Australia's government science agency released a series of technical reports on Thursday detailing how mining could be managed. Bottom-dwellers such as sea cucumbers, marine worms, starfish and crustaceans could see "significant declines in abundance immediately following mining", research found. Some of these species would partially bounce back within a year, but filter feeders and other tiny organisms that feast on seabed sediments showed "minimal recovery". "On the seafloor, our research shows that there are substantial local impacts from different mining operations," scientist Piers Dunstan said during a briefing. Deep-sea mining companies are still figuring out the best way to retrieve nodules that can lie five kilometres (three miles) or more beneath the waves. Most efforts focus on robotic harvesting machines, or crawlers, which hoover up nodules as they rove the ocean floor. The Australian scientists looked at how sharks and fish might be harmed by plumes of sediment discharged as mining waste. In some scenarios, apex predators could see toxic metals start to build up in their blood after prolonged exposure to these plumes. "Long-lived top predators, such as swordfish and large sharks, accumulated the highest simulated metal concentrations," scientists noted in one report. - 'Risk of harm' - Simulations showed blood metal concentrations would not exceed international health guidelines, and impacts were less pronounced if sediment was discharged at a greater depth. "This project helps ensure that if deep-sea mining were to go ahead, there is a clear approach to understand potential risks and impacts to marine life and ecosystems," Dunstan said. Canada-based The Metals Company is striving to start industrial deep-sea mining in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone within the next two years. The International Seabed Authority -- which oversees deep-sea mining in international waters -- has yet to adopt long-awaited rules governing the industry. The Metals Company has indicated it could forge ahead even without the authority's approval, pointing to an obscure US law that says American citizens can recover seabed minerals in areas beyond the nation's jurisdiction. The firm paid Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation -- or CSIRO -- around US$1 million to compile the reports. CSIRO stressed it was not for, or against, deep-sea mining -- but that its work would help to measure and monitor impacts should it go ahead. Energy transition expert Tina Soliman-Hunter said it was one of the "most comprehensive" pieces of research on deep-sea mining to date. "Without such research, there is a risk of harm from mining activities that can persist for generations," said Soliman-Hunter, from Australia's Macquarie University. Found in international waters between Mexico and Hawaii, the Clarion-Clipperton Zone is a vast abyssal plain spanning some 4 million square kilometres (1.7 million square miles). sft/djw/dhc
Observer
03-07-2025
- Science
- Observer
'Significant declines' in some species after deep-sea mining: research
Deep-sea mining could impact marine life stretching from the tiniest bottom dwellers to apex predators like swordfish and sharks, a major piece of industry-funded research found Thursday. The Metals Company -- a leading deep-sea mining firm -- paid Australia's government science agency to pore through data collected during test mining in the remote Pacific Ocean. Huge tracts of Pacific Ocean seabed are carpeted in polymetallic nodules, bulbous lumps of rock that are rich in metals used in battery production -- such as cobalt and nickel. The Metals Company is pushing to be the first to mine these nodules in international waters, striving to exploit a remote expanse known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Australia's government science agency released a series of technical reports on Thursday detailing how mining could be managed. Bottom-dwellers such as sea cucumbers, marine worms, starfish and crustaceans could see "significant declines in abundance immediately following mining", research found. Some of these species would partially bounce back within a year, but filter feeders and other tiny organisms that feast on seabed sediments showed "minimal recovery". "On the seafloor, our research shows that there are substantial local impacts from different mining operations," scientist Piers Dunstan said during a briefing. Deep-sea mining companies are still figuring out the best way to retrieve nodules that can lie five kilometres (three miles) or more beneath the waves. Most efforts focus on robotic harvesting machines, or crawlers, which hoover up nodules as they rove the ocean floor. The Australian scientists looked at how sharks and fish might be harmed by plumes of sediment discharged as mining waste. In some scenarios, apex predators could see toxic metals start to build up in their blood after prolonged exposure to these plumes. "Long-lived top predators, such as swordfish and large sharks, accumulated the highest simulated metal concentrations," scientists noted in one report. Simulations showed blood metal concentrations would not exceed international health guidelines, and impacts were less pronounced if sediment was discharged at a greater depth. "This project helps ensure that if deep-sea mining were to go ahead, there is a clear approach to understand potential risks and impacts to marine life and ecosystems," Dunstan said. Canada-based The Metals Company is striving to start industrial deep-sea mining in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone within the next two years. The International Seabed Authority -- which oversees deep-sea mining in international waters -- has yet to adopt long-awaited rules governing the industry. The Metals Company has indicated it could forge ahead even without the authority's approval, pointing to an obscure US law that says American citizens can recover seabed minerals in areas beyond the nation's jurisdiction. The firm paid Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation -- or CSIRO -- around US$1 million to compile the reports. CSIRO stressed it was not for, or against, deep-sea mining -- but that its work would help to measure and monitor impacts should it go ahead. Energy transition expert Tina Soliman-Hunter said it was one of the "most comprehensive" pieces of research on deep-sea mining to date. "Without such research, there is a risk of harm from mining activities that can persist for generations," said Soliman-Hunter, from Australia's Macquarie University. Found in international waters between Mexico and Hawaii, the Clarion-Clipperton Zone is a vast abyssal plain spanning some 4 million square kilometres (1.7 million square miles). sft/djw/dhc
Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
‘Significant declines' in some species after deep-sea mining: Research
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Bottom-dwellers such as sea cucumbers, marine worms, starfish and crustaceans could see 'significant declines in abundance immediately following mining', research found. SYDNEY - Deep-sea mining could impact marine life stretching from the tiniest bottom dwellers to apex predators like swordfish and sharks, a major piece of industry-funded research found on July 3. The Metals Company – a leading deep-sea mining firm – paid Australia's government science agency to pore through data collected during test mining in the remote Pacific Ocean. Huge tracts of Pacific Ocean seabed are carpeted in polymetallic nodules, bulbous lumps of rock that are rich in metals used in battery production – such as cobalt and nickel. The Metals Company is pushing to be the first to mine these nodules in international waters, striving to exploit a remote expanse known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Australia's government science agency released a series of technical reports on July 3 detailing how mining could be managed. Bottom-dwellers such as sea cucumbers, marine worms, starfish and crustaceans could see 'significant declines in abundance immediately following mining', research found. Some of these species would partially bounce back within a year, but filter feeders and other tiny organisms that feast on seabed sediments showed 'minimal recovery'. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $500 in Child LifeSG credits, Edusave, Post-Sec Education Account top-ups to be disbursed in July Singapore Over 40% of Singaporean seniors have claimed SG60 vouchers: Low Yen Ling Asia 4 dead, 38 missing after ferry sinks on way to Indonesia's Bali Singapore $1.46b nickel-trading scam: Ng Yu Zhi's bid for bail midway through trial denied by High Court Singapore Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng Singapore Jail for 'sugar daddy' who gave minor cash for sex, threatened to post her explicit videos online Singapore Train service resumes across Bukit Panjang LRT line after power fault led to 3-hour disruption Singapore Is using Gen AI for schoolwork and tests cheating? 'On the seafloor, our research shows that there are substantial local impacts from different mining operations,' scientist Dr Piers Dunstan said during a briefing. Deep-sea mining companies are still figuring out the best way to retrieve nodules that can lie 5km or more beneath the waves. Most efforts focus on robotic harvesting machines, or crawlers, which hoover up nodules as they rove the ocean floor. The Australian scientists looked at how sharks and fish might be harmed by plumes of sediment discharged as mining waste. In some scenarios, apex predators could see toxic metals start to build up in their blood after prolonged exposure to these plumes. 'Long-lived top predators, such as swordfish and large sharks, accumulated the highest simulated metal concentrations,' scientists noted in one report. 'Risk of harm' Simulations showed blood metal concentrations would not exceed international health guidelines, and impacts were less pronounced if sediment was discharged at a greater depth. 'This project helps ensure that if deep-sea mining were to go ahead, there is a clear approach to understand potential risks and impacts to marine life and ecosystems,' Dr Dunstan said. Canada-based The Metals Company is striving to start industrial deep-sea mining in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone within the next two years. The International Seabed Authority – which oversees deep-sea mining in international waters – has yet to adopt long-awaited rules governing the industry. The Metals Company has indicated it could forge ahead even without the authority's approval, pointing to an obscure US law that says American citizens can recover seabed minerals in areas beyond the nation's jurisdiction. The firm paid Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation – or Csiro – around US$1 million (S$1.27 million) to compile the reports. Csiro stressed it was not for, or against, deep-sea mining – but that its work would help to measure and monitor impacts should it go ahead. Energy transition expert Professor Tina Soliman-Hunter said it was one of the 'most comprehensive' pieces of research on deep-sea mining to date. 'Without such research, there is a risk of harm from mining activities that can persist for generations,' said Prof Soliman-Hunter, from Australia's Macquarie University. Found in international waters between Mexico and Hawaii, the Clarion-Clipperton Zone is a vast abyssal plain spanning some 4 million square kilometres. AFP
