The deep-sea mining industry is a relatively new and controversial field, with companies like Magellan pushing the boundaries of what is possible in extracting valuable metals from the ocean floor. The Danish-flagged MV Coco, operating in the Bismarck Sea off the coast of Papua New Guinea, is at the forefront of this industry, testing the feasibility of mining metal-rich deposits full of copper and gold.
As I boarded the MV Coco last June, I was struck by the sheer scale of the operation. The vessel, with its 270-foot frame and 4,000-ton weight, was equipped with cranes, winches, and a remotely operated submersible, all dedicated to extracting minerals from the seafloor. The crew, led by Richard Parkinson of Magellan, was hard at work testing the capabilities of their equipment in this challenging environment.
Inside the control room, I watched as a young Brazilian named Afhonso Perseguin expertly maneuvered a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) over the seafloor, using its robotic arm to guide a set of clamshell jaws towards a metal-rich chunk of the ocean floor. The hydraulic system drove the jaws into the seafloor, kicking up clouds of silt as the crew worked to extract the valuable minerals below.
As the ROV explored the seafloor, we came across a hydrothermal vent, a telltale sign of the metal-rich magma that lay beneath the surface. This vent marked the edge of a tectonic plate in the Bismarck Sea, and the crew of the MV Coco was eager to extract the valuable metals that had accumulated over millennia.
The operation on the MV Coco was just one example of the growing interest in deep-sea mining around the world. With the demand for valuable metals on the rise, companies are looking to the ocean floor as a new frontier for resource extraction. However, this industry is not without its risks, as scientists have warned about the potential environmental impacts of mining in these unique deep-sea habitats.
Despite these concerns, companies like Magellan and DSMF are forging ahead with their plans to mine the seafloor, hoping to capitalize on the valuable metals that lie beneath. As I watched the crew of the MV Coco work tirelessly to extract their haul, I couldn’t help but wonder about the future of deep-sea mining and the impact it could have on our oceans. Underwater mining poses a significant threat to marine life and ecosystems due to the potential release of sediment and harmful minerals into the water. The recent failure of a mining operation highlighted this danger, as clouds of sediment leaked to the surface or kicked up during the mining process could suffocate sea creatures or disperse harmful minerals unintentionally.
The mining vessel, named the Coco, had been conducting hauls every 12 hours, bringing up significant amounts of material from the seafloor. Marine scientists Josh Young and Nicole Frani were on board to measure the impact of the mining on the surrounding environment. Using specialized equipment, they collected samples of the silt plume generated by the mining activities to assess its spread and potential impact on sea life.
The multinational nature of the operation was evident, with personnel from various countries involved in the mining project. The operation was financed by investors from Russia and Oman, with the vessel chartered from a Danish firm and crew members from different parts of the world. The goal of the operation was to understand the environmental impacts of underwater mining and assess the feasibility of large-scale mining operations in the future.
During the extraction process, the crew excavated square plots on the seafloor and collected ore samples for testing. The concentration of copper in the ore was a crucial factor in determining the economic viability of the project. Initial readings showed promising copper concentrations, with some samples containing up to 12.33 percent copper, significantly higher than typical land-based ore concentrations.
Despite the potential economic benefits of underwater mining, the environmental risks posed by sediment release and mineral dispersion are significant. The need to balance economic gains with environmental protection remains a key challenge for underwater mining operations. As the mining industry continues to explore new frontiers, such as deep-sea mining, it is essential to prioritize environmental sustainability and minimize the impact on marine ecosystems. Deep-sea mining has been a topic of interest for scientists and mining companies alike, with the potential to extract valuable minerals from the ocean floor. One method used to assess the mineral content of these deposits is through geochemical tests that measure the concentration of metals such as copper, gold, zinc, and lead. These tests help determine the economic viability of extracting these minerals.
Massive sulfide deposits have been identified in oceans across the world, including the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic Oceans. These deposits often contain high concentrations of copper, zinc, and lead, making them attractive targets for mining. Unlike land-based mines, deep-sea mining operations have less overburden, meaning there is less valueless material to remove to access the ore.
In 2011, Nautilus Minerals leased the Solwara 1 site in Papua New Guinea for a 20-year underwater mining concession. The country invested $120 million in the project through a state-owned entity, making its taxpayers junior partners with Nautilus. However, the project faced challenges as it progressed. PNG had no specific legislation for underwater mining at the time, and the license was issued under rules for land-based mining. Nautilus faced financial difficulties, defaulting on payments to the Chinese shipyard that was building their mining vessel, eventually filing for bankruptcy in 2019.
After Nautilus’s bankruptcy, PNG Prime Minister James Marape criticized the project, stating that the country had wasted tens of millions of dollars on a failed concept. The head of the country’s mining regulator ruled out any chance of reviving the Solwara project in 2020. Despite initial hopes for deep-sea mining, the venture did not live up to expectations.
Local communities in Papua New Guinea have expressed concerns about deep-sea mining and its potential impacts on their livelihoods. Members of the Alliance of Solwara Warriors, a group advocating against deep-sea mining in the Bismarck Sea, have raised objections to these activities. Villagers fear that the extraction of metals from their ocean will not benefit them, as they do not use electric cars or other technologies that require these minerals.
The lack of awareness among local communities and the environmental concerns raised by activists highlight the complex issues surrounding deep-sea mining. As the industry grapples with financial challenges and regulatory hurdles, the future of underwater mining remains uncertain. It is essential to consider the social, environmental, and economic implications of these projects before proceeding with deep-sea mining operations. In a recent investigation into deep-sea mining operations in Papua New Guinea (PNG), it was revealed that crucial permit and license documents for the Solwara 1 project had never been made public, despite legal requirements for transparency. This lack of transparency has made it difficult for local communities to hold international companies accountable for potential environmental violations.
The Center for Environmental Law and Community Rights in PNG, a public-interest law firm, sued the government for access to the Solwara permit documents. Executive Director Bosip highlighted the systemic issue of unresponsiveness within government ministries, agencies, and regulators in PNG, which hindered public access to critical information.
During the bankruptcy proceedings of Nautilus Minerals, DSMF provided high-interest loans and eventually acquired Nautilus’s Solwara 1 license. DSMF’s representatives, including individuals with checkered pasts such as insider trading and regulatory investigations, were now involved in the project.
In a joint venture with SM2, DSMF continued operations under Nautilus’s original license in PNG waters. Despite claims of governmental approval for their new mining technique, the approval process remained murky and opaque. Efforts to obtain clarity from PNG officials, including the Managing Director of the Mineral Resources Authority, were met with evasiveness and lack of cooperation.
Key government figures, including the Attorney General and the Environment Minister, were unresponsive to interview requests regarding the Solwara 1 project. The Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff declined to discuss deep-sea mining, further complicating the efforts to shed light on the project’s operations.
Following the establishment of Sustainable Mining Solutions (SMS), a new entity formed by DSMF and SM2, promises of transparency and community benefits were made, but critical documents such as mining licenses and environmental permits remained undisclosed. Despite assurances of compliance with PNG laws and regulations, concerns over the project’s impact on local communities and the environment persisted.
In a surprising turn of events, former PNG Prime Minister and New Ireland Governor Julius Chan expressed disapproval of the Solwara 1 project, labeling any vessel activities in the area as illegal. His statement raised further questions about the project’s legitimacy and the government’s stance on deep-sea mining.
As the investigation continued, it became evident that the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding the Solwara 1 project exemplified broader challenges in governance and regulatory oversight in PNG. The future of deep-sea mining in the region remains uncertain, with stakeholders grappling with conflicting interests and concerns over environmental sustainability and community welfare. Deep-sea mining is a contentious issue that has many stakeholders concerned about its potential environmental impacts. The Solwara 1 project, which was on the brink of scaling up significantly, faced challenges from steep capital costs and public uproar in Papua New Guinea. However, other countries like Norway, the Cook Islands, Japan, and Sweden have already approved deep-sea mining in their exclusive economic zones, signaling that commercial-scale mining will begin soon somewhere.
Norway, for example, has identified manganese crusts and sulfide deposits in its waters and is considering awarding exploitation licenses this year. The Cook Islands have issued exploration licenses for polymetallic nodules, while Japan has confirmed a vast nodule field close to its easternmost island, which contains more cobalt than the total output of the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2023.
Despite the potential for economic gain, concerns about the environmental impact of deep-sea mining have been raised. A 2023 study found that some polymetallic nodules emit enough radiation to pose health risks if not handled properly. This has led many nations, including Germany, Spain, and Chile, to call for a pause on mining activities. Palau, Fiji, and France have advocated for a moratorium or outright ban on deep-sea mining.
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) has granted over 30 exploration licenses for international waters but has delayed the framework for exploitation licenses, frustrating some in the mining industry. The new secretary-general of the ISA, Leticia Carvalho, has pledged to end what she sees as cozy relations between the ISA and commercial operators and plans to finalize a subsea-mining code by the end of the year.
Environmental scientists are deeply involved in the development of seafloor extraction, but much remains unknown about the long-term impacts on marine life. Limited studies exist on the consequences of sulfide-deposit mining, like the activities of the vessel Coco. Research on a similar mining operation in the Pacific Ocean found that smaller organisms may recover within a year, but larger species could remain depleted for years.
The Deep Sea Mining Finance (DSMF) organization claims that extensive scientific studies have assessed the risks to marine ecosystems and concluded that mining in Solwara 1 will not adversely affect marine life habitat. However, marine scientists, such as Lisa Levin from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, are skeptical of these claims, warning that certain species near the vents could become extinct due to mining activities.
The juxtaposition between the advanced technology of deep-sea mining vessels and the subsistence communities that rely on the ocean for their livelihoods is stark. While deep-sea mining may offer short-term benefits like jobs and increased government revenues, the long-term consequences for the ecosystem and local communities must be carefully considered.
Recent actions by the Papua New Guinea government, such as introducing new mining legislation with specific rules for deep-sea mining and requiring approval from the Marine Scientific Research Committee, show that concerns about deep-sea mining are being taken seriously. As the debate continues, it is essential to balance the potential economic benefits of deep-sea mining with the need to protect the fragile marine ecosystems and livelihoods of those who depend on them. Mining company DSMF may face significant setbacks as officials have warned that they may need to reapply for their environmental permits and mining license. This would also require them to conduct a fresh environmental impact assessment, posing potential delays and obstacles for the company’s operations.
The news comes as a blow to DSMF, which has been operating in the region for several years. The company has invested heavily in its mining operations and has been a major player in the local economy. However, concerns over environmental impact have been raised, prompting officials to consider revoking their permits.
If DSMF is indeed required to reapply for their permits, it could result in a lengthy and costly process. The company would need to provide detailed information on their environmental practices and demonstrate that they are taking steps to mitigate any negative impacts. This could involve conducting new studies and assessments, which would take time and resources.
In addition, the company would also need to publish a new environmental impact assessment, which would be subject to public scrutiny. This could potentially delay their operations even further, as stakeholders and environmental groups may raise objections to their plans.
It is unclear at this time what specific concerns officials have raised regarding DSMF’s operations. However, it is clear that the company will need to address these issues in order to continue operating in the region. They will need to demonstrate that they are committed to sustainable and responsible mining practices in order to regain their permits and license.
In the meantime, DSMF will need to work closely with officials and stakeholders to address any concerns and ensure that they are in compliance with environmental regulations. It will be a challenging process, but one that is necessary in order to protect the environment and ensure the long-term sustainability of their operations.
Some of the reporting for this story was originally done while Willem Marx was on assignment for PBS. “10 Tips for Healthy Eating”
Maintaining a healthy diet is essential for overall well-being and longevity. Eating a balanced and nutritious diet can help prevent chronic diseases, boost energy levels, and improve mental clarity. Here are 10 tips to help you make healthier food choices and improve your eating habits:
1. Eat a variety of foods: Consuming a wide range of foods will ensure that you get all the essential nutrients your body needs. Aim to eat a colorful plate with a mix of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
2. Limit processed foods: Processed foods are often high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and sodium. Try to minimize your intake of processed foods and opt for whole, natural foods whenever possible.
3. Watch your portion sizes: Overeating can lead to weight gain and other health issues. Be mindful of portion sizes and try to listen to your body’s hunger cues. Eating slowly and paying attention to when you feel full can help prevent overeating.
4. Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water is essential for overall health. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day and limit sugary beverages like soda and juice.
5. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are essential for good health. Aim to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables at each meal.
6. Choose lean proteins: Protein is important for muscle growth and repair. Opt for lean proteins like chicken, fish, tofu, and legumes, and limit red meat and processed meats.
7. Limit added sugars: Added sugars can contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Limit your intake of sugary snacks and beverages and opt for natural sweeteners like fruit or honey.
8. Cook at home: Cooking at home allows you to control the ingredients in your meals and make healthier choices. Try to prepare meals from scratch as much as possible and limit eating out.
9. Plan ahead: Planning your meals in advance can help you make healthier choices and prevent last-minute decisions that may not be as nutritious. Take some time each week to plan your meals and make a grocery list to ensure you have healthy options on hand.
10. Practice mindful eating: Paying attention to your food and eating mindfully can help you enjoy your meals more and prevent overeating. Try to eat without distractions, savor each bite, and listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues.
By following these tips, you can improve your eating habits and make healthier choices for your overall well-being. Remember that small changes can lead to big results, so start incorporating these tips into your daily routine and enjoy the benefits of a healthier diet.
