The Future of Deep-Sea Mining

Transcription

1 Linking Global & Regional levels in the Management of Marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction FAO, Rome, February 2015 The Future of Deep-Sea Mining David Johnson Seascape Consultants Ltd EU FP7 MIDAS Project

2 Marine Mineral Resources from the Deep Sea Mn-Nodules Cobalt Crusts Massive Sulphides grow around a nucleus on sedimented abyssal plains ( m) Ni, Co, Cu grow on the flanks of old volcanoes ( m) Co, Ni, Cu form along mid-ocean ridge or at young active volcanoes ( m) Cu, Au, Zn, Ag Courtesy Sven Petersen MIDAS Kick-off meeting

3 The International Seabed Authority Established 16 November 1994 Kingston, Jamaica All LOSC States Parties ipso facto members of ISA 166 members Functions: Regulate deep seabed mining Equitable sharing of benefits Protect marine environment Distribute revenues under Article 82 Promote and encourage MSR in the Area

4 How is access to resources regulated? Annex III to LOSC Polymetallic nodules (2000) Polymetallic sulphides (2010) Cobalt-rich crusts (2012) ISA Regulations on Prospecting and Exploration Exploitation code under development

5 How is access to resources regulated? Standard terms of exploration contract Standard terms for all contractors 15 year duration, extension for 5 years in exceptional circumstances Obligation to apply precautionary approach and establish environmental baseline Prior EIA required for test mining Contingency plan for emergencies Annual reporting to monitor due diligence against agreed plan of work Mandatory training programme for personnel of developing countries Preference over other applicants for exploitation of same area

6 Current status of Deep Seabed Mining

7 Total number of ISA Contractors Crusts Sulphides Nodules Years unsigned 1.2 million km 2 licensed for exploration

8 Environmental management Potential impacts on seafloor, water-column and surface Long recovery time Specialized animals Chemosynthetic organisms at hydrothermal vents Incomplete knowledge of species range and diversity

9 Environmental management plan

10 Environmental management plan Clarion-Clipperton EMP adopted 2012 (ISBA/17/LTC/7) UNGA resolution 68/70 and 69/245 encourage ISA to develop EMPs in other regions Supported by ISA Council (ISBA/20/C/31) Discussions underway for Atlantic and Indian Oceans Basis to establish MPAs, apply precautionary approach and best environmental practices, cumulative environmental assessments Need to coordinate environmental management in ABNJ with other relevant organizations to overcome sectoral fragmentation

11 Environmental impacts from SMS mining trans-shipment plume plume volume, depth of release, temperature, particle size, toxicity Total area impacted and its configuration plume volume, particle size toxicity Secretariat of the Pacific Community (2103) Deep Sea Minerals: Sea Floor Massive Sulphides, a physical, biological, environmental, and technical review. Vol. 1A, SPC

12 Ecotoxicology Large amount of data available on metal toxicity at lab pressures/temperatures Little known of toxicity at high pressures/low temperatures where metabolic rates are lower Plan to concentrate on small number of metals e.g. Cd 2+ and Cu 2+ and compare deep-sea response to lab response Spot measurements to be made in situ Courtesy Chris Hauton, NOC

13 Impact of loss of Connectivity on marine populations Courtesy Craig Smith U Hawaii

14 Progress towards mining Nautilus Minerals Ordered 3 seabed machines $84M Ordered riser development $116M Bulk cutter completed Collector completed January 2015 Signed contract to hire new ship to be built in China and rented at $200,000 per day

15 Concluding remarks 1. Deep-sea mining is/will be strictly regulated but the regime is not yet complete; 2. Crusts, SMS deposits and nodules each have very different characteristics, distributions and environmental concerns; 3. The areas to be impacted by mining are huge for nodules and crusts but smaller for SMS deposits; 4. There has been considerable licensing activity for exploration in the last few years both in National waters and by the ISA in International waters; 5. Plumes (mid water and benthic) may be critical because they will considerably extend the extent of the areas impacted; 6. Deep-sea mining is likely to begin within 3-4 years e.g. in Papua New Guinea with Solwara 1 in 2018; and 7. Major issues facing contractors to the ISA include environmental regulation, environmental insurance process, benefit sharing.