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Shallow-water mining undermines global sustainability goals
Laura Kaikkonen1, Elina A Virtanen2
1Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM), Helsinki, Finland.
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|September 16, 2022
Summary
Shallow-water mining for coastal mineral resources conflicts with conservation goals. Current regulations are underdeveloped, and without comparative studies, there is no evidence to support its sustainability for meeting metal demands.
Area of Science:
- Marine geology
- Environmental science
- Resource management
Background:
- Coastal mineral resources are increasingly promoted to meet global metal demands.
- Shallow-water mining is presented as a potentially sustainable solution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the sustainability and justification of shallow-water mining practices.
- To address the lack of comparative analyses for different mining methods.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on coastal mining.
- Analysis of international conservation and sustainability goals.
- Assessment of current regulatory frameworks for marine resource extraction.
Main Results:
- Shallow-water mining practices contradict established international conservation and sustainability objectives.
- The legislative and regulatory framework for shallow-water mining is still in its nascent stages of development.
- There is a significant absence of comprehensive comparative studies evaluating various mining techniques.
Conclusions:
- Currently, there is insufficient evidence and justification to support shallow-water mining as a sustainable practice.
- Further research and comparative analyses are needed to inform policy and practice regarding marine resource extraction.
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