Nations are negotiating a deep sea mining code as opposition mounts.

Up to 27 nations are calling for a moratorium on deep sea mining as the United Nations' International Seabed Authority (ISA) meets to negotiate regulations for the controversial practice. 

The ISA's 36-member council is convening in Kingston, Jamaica, until July 26 to deliberate on a long-awaited ‘mining code’ that would regulate the exploration and extraction of minerals from the ocean floor. 

Pradeep Singh, an ocean governance specialist at Germany's Potsdam Institute, has noted the deep divisions among countries regarding the final text of the regulations. 

“I think it will become very clear at this session that there is still a long way to go,” Singh said, calling for thorough scrutiny.

The urgency to finalise the mining code has been heightened by the Pacific island state of Nauru, which plans to submit a mining licence application on behalf of Canada's The Metals Company (TMC) later this year, irrespective of whether the regulations are complete. 

“A growing number of states are saying no, we will not allow that to happen,” Singh said.

The opposing countries are not entirely against deep sea mining, but most say they want to ensure robust regulations are in place.

Following the council session, the ISA's 168-member Assembly will meet on July 29 to elect a new secretary-general, with Brazil's Leticia Carvalho running against the incumbent, Michael Lodge. 

Additionally, nine countries, including Chile and France, will push for discussions on policies to protect the marine environment if mining proceeds, a proposal China blocked last year.

Supporters of deep sea mining argue it is crucial for securing supplies of minerals like cobalt and nickel, essential for the global energy transition. 

However, critics warn of severe environmental impacts, including habitat destruction and disruption of carbon cycles. 

“Pushing for regulations is like they are telling us; ‘We know we will destroy the last pristine ecosystem of earth, but we will do it by the book’,” said Greenpeace campaigner Louisa Casson.

“Heavy machines don’t belong at the bottom of the ocean.”

Scientific evidence supports these concerns, with the UK’s Natural History Museum reporting that the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a primary area of interest, supports over 5,000 species yet to be studied.

Mounting scientific evidence has concluded that if deep sea mining is allowed to go ahead, vast areas of the ocean floor will be stripped bare, destroying habitats, damaging marine life and unique ecosystems beyond repair as well as disrupting carbon cycles. The associated noise and pollution, including toxic particles dumped in shallower waters, would also disrupt marine life all the way up the water column. 

The ISA has issued 31 exploration contracts, covering over 1.5 million square kilometres of the seabed, primarily in the CCZ between Hawaii and Mexico.

Analysts have questioned the economic viability of deep sea mining, which faces rising costs and technical challenges of operating heavy machinery in the deep ocean.

India, meanwhile, is preparing to apply for deep sea exploration licences in the Pacific Ocean as part of its strategy to secure minerals for energy transition technologies. 

This initiative reflects a broader global race to obtain critical minerals, despite the significant environmental concerns.