Trump Signs Executive Order Promoting Deep-Sea Mining

Trump signed an executive order on Thursday aimed at promoting deep-sea mining, which is the latest attempt to expand America's access to critical minerals such as nickel, copper, and others widely used in manufacturing.

This order signed by Trump aims to initiate mining activities in U.S. and international waters. In the executive order, Trump stated that "Maintaining leadership in deep-sea technology and seabed mineral resources is in the core national security and economic interests of the United States."

Reuters first reported last month that this executive order was under consideration. Deep-sea mining can obtain minerals containing metals such as cobalt, nickel, and manganese, which are considered crucial for renewable energy, steel production, and defense manufacturing.

The new executive order instructs the government to expedite the issuance of mining licenses under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act of 1980 and establish a licensing process along the U.S. outer continental shelf.

International Legal Disputes

Parts of the Pacific Ocean and other seas contain large amounts of polymetallic nodules. According to a U.S. government official cited by Reuters, it is estimated that there are over 1 billion tons of such nodules in U.S. waters, rich in manganese, nickel, copper, and other critical minerals. The official added that mining these nodules could increase U.S. GDP by $300 billion over the next decade and create 100,000 jobs.

Trump's executive order also ordered an accelerated review of seabed mining licenses in areas beyond national jurisdiction, which may trigger friction with the international community.

At a regular press conference held by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday, spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that exploration and development activities of mineral resources in the international seabed area must be carried out within the framework of the International Seabed Authority under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. No country should bypass the International Seabed Authority and international law to authorize unauthorized exploration and development activities of international seabed resources, thereby harming the common interests of the international community.

Guo Jiakun also pointed out that the U.S. executive order also involves unilateral American demarcation beyond 200 nautical miles. The authorization by the U.S. to conduct exploration and exploitation activities of mineral resources on its so-called "outer continental shelf" violates international law and damages the overall interests of the international community. He criticized the U.S. "unilateral approach that disregards international law and order for its own benefit."

Environmental Destruction from Deep-Sea Mining

The International Seabed Authority (ISA), established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, has been working since the 1990s to set standards for deep-sea mining in international waters but has failed to reach consensus due to many differences. Member states and companies generally remain观望on deep-sea mining. The United States is not a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The technology for extracting deep-sea metal nodules is still immature and is considered to have significant ecological impacts. Aro Hampshire of Greenpeace said, "The U.S. government has no right to unilaterally allow an industry to damage the common heritage of humanity and destroy the deep-sea environment for the benefit of a few companies."

Any country can allow deep-sea mining within its territorial sea (about 200 nautical miles from the coast). Many companies are already queuing up to mine in U.S. waters, including companies from the United States, Canada, Russia, Jamaica, and China's Minmetals Group.

Source: DW

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1830506527034503/

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