Climate Journalism
Norway Hits Pause On Controversial Deep-Sea Mining. A Win For The Ocean Or Just A Delay?
Norway, often seen as a leader in sustainable practices, has hit the brakes on its controversial deep-sea mining plans. The move to shelve this highly debated initiative was announced late Sunday, marking a temporary but significant pause in opening up vast areas of the Arctic seabed for mineral extraction.
The reason? Political pressure. The Socialist Left Party, a key player in Norway’s minority government, made it clear they wouldn’t support the 2024 budget unless deep-sea mining plans were put on hold. Faced with this ultimatum, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s government had little choice but to yield.
A ‘Monumental Victory’ for the Ocean
Environmentalists are celebrating the decision as a huge win. Campaigners who’ve long warned of the irreversible damage deep-sea mining could inflict on marine ecosystems are calling it a “monumental victory.” After all, extracting minerals like cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese from the ocean floor isn’t exactly a gentle process.
Scientists remain cautious, pointing out that the full environmental impact of deep-sea mining is still unknown. However, one thing thing they do acknowledge once the seabed is disturbed, there’s no going back. Species extinction and habitat destruction may be inevitable.
A Postponement, Not a Policy Shift
Despite the celebratory tone from environmental groups, Prime Minister Støre insists this is merely a “postponement.” Astrid Bergmål, state secretary at Norway’s energy ministry, echoed this, stating the government’s policy remains unchanged. “This is a political compromise,” she explained, emphasizing that the licensing round could still happen in the next parliamentary term.
The government plans to use the delay to conduct more research and finalize regulations. Bergmål also clarified that the postponed licensing round was only for exploration, not exploitation, adding that sustainable and responsible practices would be essential before any mining begins.
Norway’s Leadership in a Divided World
Norway’s push for deep-sea mining has put it at odds with countries like Germany, Britain, Canada, and Mexico, all of which have called for a moratorium on the practice due to environmental concerns. Back in January, Norwegian lawmakers had voted to open an area equivalent to the size of Italy in the Arctic for exploration, a decision that raised eyebrows globally.
The government aimed to issue its first exploitation licenses next year, but Sunday’s postponement means nothing will move forward until at least the end of 2024. And with parliamentary elections set for September 2025, the future of deep-sea mining in Norway remains uncertain.
Breaking Rare Earth Dominance
The Norwegian government justified its push for deep-sea mining by pointing to a growing global need for critical minerals like cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese. These minerals are essential for electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, and solar panels—key components in the global transition away from fossil fuels.
Energy Minister Terje Aasland was candid about the geopolitical stakes: “Today, we are almost dependent on Russia and China, and we have to diversify the global supply chain production of minerals around the world.” His argument was clear: if Norway didn’t step up, the West would remain at the mercy of these mineral giants.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) backed up this concern, noting that demand for cobalt and nickel surged by 70% and 40% respectively between 2017 and 2022. And with demand expected to keep rising as the clean energy transition gains momentum, countries like Norway feel the pressure to secure their share of the pie.
Environmental Backlash
Not everyone sees Norway’s initiative as bold or necessary. Haldis Tjeldflaat Helle, a deep-sea mining campaigner at Greenpeace Nordic, didn’t hold back, calling it “truly embarrassing” that a country positioning itself as an ocean leader was preparing to green-light what she described as “ocean destruction.”
Environmental campaign groups and scientists have long warned that deep-sea mining is fraught with uncertainty. The process involves using heavy machinery to extract mineral-rich nodules from the seafloor, potentially causing irreversible damage to fragile marine ecosystems. Critics argue that the practice sends a “terrible signal” to the rest of the world and that any sustainable transition must not come at the cost of the ocean’s health.
A Pause, But Not an End
Despite the outcry, Norway’s government insists the pause on deep-sea mining is not a retreat. Instead, officials describe it as a time to reassess and ensure any future mining is done responsibly. Energy Minister Aasland emphasized Norway’s track record of sustainable resource management on its continental shelf: “We do it sustainably and step by step.”
This postponement, however, doesn’t erase the underlying tension. Environmentalists believe the pause is merely political maneuvering, while the government views it as a strategic delay. If Norway proceeds, it could become the first northern European country to undertake deep-sea mining, a move that would undoubtedly influence global policies on mineral extraction.
Global Supply Chain Woes
The debate over Norway’s deep-sea mining plans illustrates a broader issue- the concentration of rare earth mineral production in a few countries.
This puts countries like Norway in a tough spot. On one hand, they want to protect the environment. On the other, they need to secure critical resources to meet future energy demands.
Where Does Norway Go From Here?
For now, Norway’s deep-sea mining plans are on hold, but the debate is far from over. Whether this pause leads to a more sustainable approach or merely delays the inevitable remains to be seen.
However, if Norway decides to go ahead with it plans sometime in the future it could set a precedent for how we balance environmental protection with the need for critical resources.