The 31st Session (Part II) of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is starting today in Kingston, Jamaica. Let’s take a look at what’s on the agenda of these international deep sea mining negotiations, and why Canada plays such an important role in these.
Discussing deep sea mining for over a decade now
The International Seabed Authority (ISA), established under UNCLOS, is charged with managing the deep seabed that lies beyond any country’s national jurisdiction (“the Area”), and is supposed to do so « on behalf of humankind as a whole ».
For over a decade, they have been discussing whether or not deep sea mining — a new extractive frontier that wants to scrape the ocean floor for critical minerals — should see the light of day, and if so, how.
While global opposition to ocean exploitation is rising, a handful of deep sea miners continue to push forward their reckless agenda to start mining kilometres beneath the waves. Frontrunner in this race to the bottom is Vancouver-based deep sea mining firm The Metals Company (TMC).
1. The Metals Company’s unlawful deep sea mining attempt
The Metals Company (TMC) will probably be the hottest potato on the agenda. As you may remember, TMC has been pushing to unilaterally mine the international seabed through a potential permit granted by the United States, thereby bypassing international laws. They are doing this while also holding exploration contracts with the ISA for their subsidiaries NORI and TOML.
While the ISA is currently investigating the « potential non-compliance » of their contractual obligations, NORI and TOML have launched legal proceedings against the ISA. Yes, you read that correctly. The Metals Company, who is trying to illegally mine the seabed, is suing the UN institution charged with regulating deep sea mining. Our take on it? We say that it shows the extent to which this industry is ready to push their reckless agenda forward. From bullying tactics to spreading disinformation, their lack of morality seems to know no boundaries.
The Council, which includes Canada as an elected member, will be discussing whether or not the TMC contracts of NORI and TOML should be renewed, given their unlawful unilateral mining attempt. At the same time, we are expecting a decision regarding their legal proceedings on the 18th of July. A lot to look out for!
2. The rushed adoption of an inadequate Mining Code
The other big agenda point during this session is the Mining Code – a set of environmental, financial, and technical regulations, procedures, and rules being negotiated at the ISA to dictate how, where, and when companies and countries could move from just exploring the global ocean floor to commercially mining it.
While companies like The Metals Company are pushing for the urgent adoption of a Mining Code, the last part of this session showed that the world is nowhere near ready to proceed with deep sea mining. Though they take different routes, both approaches — a rushed Mining Code and TMC’s unilateral mining attempt — move us closer to commercial deep sea mining, and therefore closer to ocean destruction.
A moratorium is the only sensible way forward
43 countries, about 100 major businesses and financial institutions, nearly 1,000 marine scientists, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights all agree that deep sea mining isreckless, unnecessary, and economically unviable.
Mining this fragile, undiscovered and interconnected world could cause irreversible damage to ocean ecosystems, and the impacts of it will also be felt far above water.
Canada has a clear moral duty and legal responsibility to ensure that corporations such as TMC do not engage in unilateral mining activities in the international seabed. You can sign the parliamentary petition to add pressure to the government to take a clear stance on this.
The ocean is not for sale: stop the deep sea mining code
Add your name to demand that Canada lock the seabed out of reach for extractive industries.
Join the tide of resistance, and check our socials for updates on the ISA negotiations!
