Duration : 00:11:12
In the race to mine the deep sea for valuable metals and minerals, a Canadian mining company called the Metals Company has joined 16 other exploration ships representing various countries and private companies in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. This remote area of the Pacific Ocean is estimated to contain more of these metals than all land-based deposits combined. However, the pursuit of seabed mining raises significant questions about the irreversible environmental damage it may cause and the fair distribution of profits from shared natural resources. The United Nations established laws to govern the seas in 1958, designating the deep ocean beyond the exclusive economic zones of countries as the common heritage of mankind. To regulate mining activities, the International Seabed Authority was created, and countries must apply for exploration contracts that allocate mining rights and reserve an equal portion for developing countries. The Metals Company, for instance, partnered with the Pacific Island nations of Nauru, Kiribati, and Tonga to access the reserved areas. As the demand for metals increases, the future of deep-sea mining depends on reconciling the potential benefits with environmental concerns and ensuring a fair distribution of resources.