Deadly for oceans but perhaps vital for climate action : Why deep sea mining divides opinion : Daily Current Affairs

Date: 08/04/2023

Relevance: GS-3: Economic Development, Biodiversity, and Environment.

Key Phrases: Internationally agreed code, Clarion-Clipperton Zone, Automated mining, comprehensive environmental impact assessments (EIAs), lanthanum and cerium, marine protected area (MPA).

Context:

  • The International Seabed Authority has decided that companies can apply from July 2023 to mine the ocean floor.

Do you Know?

  • Currently, there is no internationally agreed code for mining under the ocean.
  • According to estimates, in just three years the world will need twice as much lithium and 70% more cobalt.
  • So-called polymetallic nodules, also known as manganese nodules, are driving the rush to mine seabeds.
  • These potato-sized lumps contain high proportions of nickel, copper, manganese, rare earths and other valuable metals.
  • The best-studied area is currently the seabed at between 3,500 and 5,500 meters [between 11,500 feet and 18,000 feet] in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the eastern Pacific Ocean near the US state of Hawaii.
  • The basin in the central Indian Ocean and the seabed off the Cook Islands, Kiribati atolls and French Polynesia in the South Pacific are also of interest for potential extraction.

Key Highlights:

  • Deep-sea mining is a complex and controversial issue that raises many environmental concerns.
  • While proponents of deep-sea mining argue that it is necessary for the development of renewable energy, opponents argue that it poses serious risks to the marine ecosystem.
  • In this context, it is important to critically analyze the environmental concerns of deep-sea mining and the measures that need to be taken to mitigate the negative impacts.

Pros:

  • Availability of essential metals: Deep-sea nodules contain several essential metals such as cobalt, nickel, and manganese that are required for the production of batteries used in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems.
  • Reduced environmental impact: Unlike terrestrial mining, deep-sea mining does not result in deforestation or the displacement of local communities.
  • Increased economic growth: Deep-sea mining has the potential to create jobs and boost the economies of countries that invest in this industry.

Cons:

  • Environmental damage:
    • Deep-sea mining can have a significant impact on the marine environment, including the destruction of deep-sea habitats and the disturbance of sediment layers.
  • Uncertainty:
    • There is limited knowledge about the potential long-term impacts of deep-sea mining on the marine environment, including the potential effects on deep-sea biodiversity.
  • Cost:
    • Deep-sea mining is a costly process and may not be financially feasible in the absence of significant demand for the metals.
  • Regulatory challenges:
    • There are currently no international regulations in place to govern deep-sea mining activities, which may lead to environmental damage and potential conflicts among countries.
  • Automated mining endangers marine life:
    • Seabed mining is made easy when a huge vacuum can simply travel over the ocean floor to suck up the nodules — which are then brought to the surface with a hose.
    • But the living part of the seabed is destroyed along with the nodules.
    • That means all organisms, bacteria and higher organisms that live in and on the sediment and on the nodules are completely sucked in.
    • These organisms also require manganese nodules to survive, meaning they “won’t come back for millions of years.
    • Rapid regeneration is impossible because it can take a million years for a nodule to grow a few millimetres.
    • Scientists and opponents of deep-sea mining also fear that the clouds of sediment from the suction could cause enormous damage to ecosystems within a radius of several hundred kilometres.
    • Potential victims would include plants, creatures in the middle water depths and microorganisms whose respiratory tracts could be blocked by the sediment.

Arguments from the Metal Companies:

  • The companies have argued that deep-sea mining could be less damaging to the environment than extraction on land, pointing out that it would emit 80% less greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The company claims deep-sea mining would barely impact carbon reservoirs such as forests and soils, would not displace people, would use less fresh water and release fewer toxins.
  • They also claim that deep-sea mining would be largely automated, avoiding the exploitation of cobalt miners, including children, in Congo, where most of the world’s cobalt is mined today.
  • Deep-sea mining would go beyond harming the seabed and have a wider impact on fish populations, marine mammals and the essential function of the deep-sea ecosystems in regulating the climate.

What are Rare-Earth Metals?

  • Rare earth metals are a group of 17 elements with unique properties, including high magnetic strength, heat resistance, and electrical conductivity.
  • The group includes lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium.
  • Despite the name, they are not particularly rare, but they are difficult to extract in large quantities and are often found mixed with other minerals.

Why Demand For Rare Earth Metals is Increasing?

  • Renewable Energy Technologies :
    • The growth of renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicles is driving the demand for rare earth minerals and metals.
    • These minerals are used in the production of key components such as magnets, batteries, and generators.
    • For example, neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium are used in the production of wind turbines, and lithium, cobalt, and nickel are used in batteries for electric vehicles.
  • Consumer Electronics :
    • Rare earth minerals and metals are also used in the production of consumer electronics such as smartphones, laptops, and TVs.
    • These minerals are used to make screens, speakers, and other components.
    • For example, europium is used in the production of red phosphors for screens, and terbium is used in the production of green phosphors.
  • Defense Technologies :
    • Rare earth minerals and metals are used in the production of defense technologies such as missiles, aircraft engines, and radar systems.
    • These minerals are used to make alloys, magnets, and other components.
    • For example, yttrium is used in the production of jet engine components, and europium and gadolinium are used in radar systems.
  • Medical Technologies :
    • Rare earth minerals and metals are used in the production of medical technologies such as MRI machines and X-ray machines.
    • These minerals are used to make magnets and other components.
    • For example, gadolinium is used in the production of MRI contrast agents.
  • Agriculture :
    • Rare earth minerals and metals are used in agriculture as fertilizers and soil conditioners.
    • These minerals are used to provide nutrients and improve soil quality.
    • For example, lanthanum and cerium are used as fertilizers for crops.

Way Forward:

  • To mitigate the negative impacts of deep-sea mining, several measures need to be taken.
  • One of the key measures is to conduct comprehensive environmental impact assessments (EIAs) before any mining activities are undertaken.
  • These assessments should take into account the potential impacts of mining on the marine environment and identify measures to mitigate these impacts.
  • The mining industry should also be required to follow strict regulations and standards that limit the amount of pollution and damage that can be caused by mining activities.
  • Another measure that can be taken is the implementation of a marine protected area (MPA) around deep-sea mining sites.
  • MPAs can help to protect vulnerable marine habitats and reduce the impact of mining activities on marine biodiversity.
  • The establishment of MPAs can also provide a framework for monitoring and enforcing regulations on mining activities.

Conclusion:

  • Deep-sea mining poses significant environmental concerns, and the potential negative impacts need to be carefully considered and mitigated.
  • While deep-sea mining may be necessary for the development of renewable energy, it is essential to ensure that mining activities are conducted in a sustainable and responsible manner.
  • The implementation of comprehensive environmental impact assessments and the establishment of marine protected areas can help to minimize the negative impacts of deep-sea mining on the marine ecosystem.

Source: The Indian Express

Mains Question:

Q. Discuss the pros and cons of deep-sea mining for polymetallic nodules for the renewable energy transition. (150 Words).