Norway’s deep sea mining plans risk the Arctic’s future

Norway’s controversial plan to open a vast Arctic area for deep seabed mining is raising alarms about potential environmental catastrophe and damage to fish stocks. As KAROLINE ANDAUR writes, the decision could also mark a significant shift in the country’s Arctic environmental policies, challenging both its legal frameworks and global biodiversity commitments.

Spanning a massive 281,200 square kilometres in size, the proposed mining area in the Barents and Greenland seas is a largely unexplored biological treasure that is home to unique forms of marine life and important marine mammal and seabed populations. Early in the new year, the Norwegian Parliament will vote on whether to open the area for exploration and exploitation.

The proposal has sparked an outcry from environmentalists, legal experts and the scientific community, who warn of irreversible damage to fragile deep-sea ecosystems. The project’s legality is also under scrutiny, with accusations of inadequate environmental impact assessment and potential violations of international treaties.

Last of the Earth’s pristine environments

Deep-sea ecosystems, especially those in the Arctic, are among the most pristine environments remaining on Earth, with unique species and complex ecological networks. The deep sea is also the world’s largest carbon storage area. The regions being targeted for mining, including the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, are known for their sulphide chimneys and sponge grounds, which are classified as vulnerable marine ecosystems.

The mining process, which involves significant seabed disturbance, poses a risk of irreversible ecological damage. Fine sediment from mining activities can smother marine life, while disturbed heavy metals and other materials could integrate into higher water layers, affecting broader areas and fish populations.

Legal concerns add to the complexity. Organizations like WWF have argued that Norway’s plans may violate several laws, including requirements for adequate and inclusive environmental impact assessment. The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research has highlighted the substantial knowledge gaps that still exist about deep-sea life, emphasizing the unpredictability of mining impacts on these unexplored ecosystems.

Greed versus stewardship

The deep-sea mining ambitions of the Norwegian government represent one of the most substantial interventions ever proposed by Norway to its natural environment—and it could alter an area the size of Italy. The project pits the economic allure of minerals against the unknowns of deep-sea mining impacts. Researchers and environmentalists are calling for a more cautious approach, considering the potentially profound effects on marine biodiversity and ecosystem services.

For its part, the Norwegian government’s assessment—which claims that the area contains vast resources—has been heavily criticized by, among others, the country’s own foremost mineral experts: the Norwegian Geological Society. Overstated claims that the minerals are needed for the green transition have been debunked and characterized as misleading by top scientists. Furthermore, details about the processing and further refining of these minerals are still unknown.

Norway stands at a crossroads: will the government kickstart a destructive race to the bottom of the sea, or hit the brakes and avoid potentially catastrophic environmental impacts? The decision whether to mine the Arctic’s deep-sea bed not only tests Norway’s commitment to environmental leadership but sets a global precedent for oceanic resource exploitation.

If Norway wants to be known for responsible ocean and resource stewardship, the only possible move is to stop these plans and instead call for a global moratorium on deep seabed mining.