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.

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.

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).