Deep sea mining sparks controversy in Papua New Guinea
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Governments worldwide face challenges in regulating emerging industries, particularly in the realm of deep sea mining, which remains largely unregulated beyond national maritime boundaries. Papua New Guinea (PNG) stands out as the only nation currently permitting deep sea mining within its territorial waters, specifically in the Bismarck Sea off New Ireland.
Recent reports highlight the difficulties PNG encounters in monitoring these mining activities. The MV Coco, a vessel engaged in deep sea mining, has been operating in this region, extracting copper-rich rock while leaving significant amounts on the seabed. This operation is part of an industrial-scale trial aimed at assessing the viability of long-term deep sea mining, spearheaded by Deep Sea Mining Finance (DSMF) in collaboration with Magellan.
Environmental concerns have been raised by activists, including Greenpeace, which has called for a legally binding moratorium on deep sea mining due to its destructive impact on marine ecosystems. Louisa Casson, a Greenpeace campaign leader, emphasized the need for stringent regulations to prevent irreversible damage to ocean habitats.
The history of deep sea mining in PNG is fraught with controversy. The country issued its first subsea mining license in 2011 to Nautilus Minerals, which promised economic benefits but ultimately failed to deliver, leaving behind rusting machinery and unfulfilled expectations. The current operators, DSMF, took over Nautilus's permit in 2019, but their leadership has raised concerns due to past legal issues involving key figures.
Local politicians, including opposition member Allan Byrne, expressed alarm over the lack of transparency in the permitting process for offshore mining. The absence of a dedicated minister for mining has compounded these concerns, with the prime minister currently overseeing the industry. This has led to accusations of prioritizing economic interests over environmental protection.
Community advocates, such as Peter Bossip, founder of a public interest law firm, have been fighting for greater transparency and accountability in the mining sector. They have faced significant obstacles in obtaining environmental assessments related to deep sea mining, which the government has been reluctant to disclose.
As PNG navigates the complexities of deep sea mining, the balance between economic development and environmental stewardship remains a contentious issue, with local communities and international organizations calling for more rigorous oversight and regulation.
Recent reports highlight the difficulties PNG encounters in monitoring these mining activities. The MV Coco, a vessel engaged in deep sea mining, has been operating in this region, extracting copper-rich rock while leaving significant amounts on the seabed. This operation is part of an industrial-scale trial aimed at assessing the viability of long-term deep sea mining, spearheaded by Deep Sea Mining Finance (DSMF) in collaboration with Magellan.
Environmental concerns have been raised by activists, including Greenpeace, which has called for a legally binding moratorium on deep sea mining due to its destructive impact on marine ecosystems. Louisa Casson, a Greenpeace campaign leader, emphasized the need for stringent regulations to prevent irreversible damage to ocean habitats.
The history of deep sea mining in PNG is fraught with controversy. The country issued its first subsea mining license in 2011 to Nautilus Minerals, which promised economic benefits but ultimately failed to deliver, leaving behind rusting machinery and unfulfilled expectations. The current operators, DSMF, took over Nautilus's permit in 2019, but their leadership has raised concerns due to past legal issues involving key figures.
Local politicians, including opposition member Allan Byrne, expressed alarm over the lack of transparency in the permitting process for offshore mining. The absence of a dedicated minister for mining has compounded these concerns, with the prime minister currently overseeing the industry. This has led to accusations of prioritizing economic interests over environmental protection.
Community advocates, such as Peter Bossip, founder of a public interest law firm, have been fighting for greater transparency and accountability in the mining sector. They have faced significant obstacles in obtaining environmental assessments related to deep sea mining, which the government has been reluctant to disclose.
As PNG navigates the complexities of deep sea mining, the balance between economic development and environmental stewardship remains a contentious issue, with local communities and international organizations calling for more rigorous oversight and regulation.
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