The first request for mining In international waters, Canadian company The Metals Company (TMC), a request made to the USAwhere President, Donald Trump, just opened the door to this controversial industry.
The request for commercial exploitation, which was filed before the US Authorities by the TMC USA subsidiary, concerns the extraction of multimetallic tubers in the Clarion-Clipperton zone in the Pacific, the company said. “Today’s day marks a very important step, not only for TMC USA, but for the independence of America’s mining and industrial rebirth,” commented TMC chief executive Gerrard Baron.
“With Washington’s vigorous support (…) we look forward to implementing the first global trademark plan for trademark extraction,” he added.
The Canadian company, who hopes to become the first to undertake the extraction of multimetallic tubers, a form of minerals rich in metals in the depths of the Pacific – had announced in March that it intends to request its first trade mining contract.
A sudden change of strategy: Initially, the company intended to submit its request in June before the International Seabed Authority (Isa), which has jurisdiction over the seabed of international waters.
Justified the ISA bypassing, citing the organization’s slow progress in the adoption of the “Mining Code”, which should establish the rules for commercial mining in the high sea.
A few weeks after the announcement, US President Donald Trump signed a decree aimed at accelerating the examination procedures and granting research licenses, including international waters.
In agreement with a 1980 US law setting rules for exploration and “commercial recovery” by the seabed in international waters and while the US is not members of the international seabed.
According to the United Nations Convention on Marine Law, which set up the international seabed authority, but the US has never ratified, the sea seabed is considered a “world heritage of humanity”.
This TMC announcement today “will remain in memory as an act of complete contempt for international law and scientific consensus,” Ruth Ramos, Greenpeace, complained.
Ocean defenders estimate that underwater mining threatens critical ecosystems.
Emma Wilson, of NGO Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, denounced in her statements to the French News Agency the “unethical and dangerous” TMC’s “unethical and dangerous” sympathy, calling on the ISA Member States to decide a moratorium on the controversial activity during their meeting.
“This would send the clear message to the states and businesses that choose to act outside the ISA framework that the international community is united to defend international law,” he said.
Source: RES – EIA