The false promise of deep-sea mining

Area of Science:

• Marine biology
• Environmental science
• Resource economics

Background:

• Deep-sea mining in international waters is imminent.
• Ecological concerns are widely discussed.
• This study addresses the economic and resource justifications for deep-sea mining.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the necessity and benefits of deep-sea mining.
• To challenge the arguments supporting mineral extraction from the international seabed.
• To provide a counter-argument to the pro-extraction narrative.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of mineral supply chains.
• Economic assessment of deep-sea mining projects.
• Refutation of pro-extraction arguments regarding mineral scarcity, social, and economic benefits.

Main Results:

• Current mineral supplies are sufficient, refuting scarcity claims.
• Proposed social and economic benefits of deep-sea mining are misrepresented.
• Deep-sea mining is presented as an unnecessary, high-cost venture.

Conclusions:

• A ban on international seabed mining is recommended, not solely for ecological reasons.
• The economic and resource justifications for deep-sea mining are unfounded.
• The mining industry and supply chains do not necessitate deep-sea extraction.