Tag: International Seabed Authority

What we know we don’t know: impacts of deep-sea mining on whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, and other migratory species.

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Conservation, Exploration, Featured, Science

Migratory species depend on a vast, interconnected ocean. Disturbance in the deep-sea isn’t localized, it ripples across a globally-connected ocean and impacts made today may persist long after our species fades. Deep-sea mining is an industry in its infancy. As it has slowly matured towards commercial production, the major focus on the impacts of deep-sea … Read More “What we know we don’t know: impacts of deep-sea mining on whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, and other migratory species.” »

Deep-sea Mining: What went down in 2024?

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Featured, Policy

The march towards deep-sea mining is a slow and stately trudge through a complex international negotiation. The real progress isn’t made in flashy headlines or overhyped announcements, but in painstaking deliberations and incremental progress in the mining code and the environmental and financial regimes. In as much as 2024 was a fairly standard year in … Read More “Deep-sea Mining: What went down in 2024?” »

Leticia Carvalho will be the next Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Featured, News, Policy

In a surprise upset on the final day of the 29th Session of the International Seabed Authority, Leticia Carvalho secured the position of Secretary General over 8-year incumbent Michael Lodge. The 79 to 34 vote was a decisive rejection of Lodge’s leadership, whose tenure has been marred by criticism that he has improperly shared information … Read More “Leticia Carvalho will be the next Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority” »

Election of ISA Secretary-General mired by accusations of bribery and corruption

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
News, Policy

In a little over 2 week, the International Seabed Authority will once again convene in Kingston, Jamaica to continue the 30-year process of establishing a regulatory regime for mining the minerals of the deep sea beyond the borders of any nation. This deep-sea mining negotiation is the most important meeting for not only the future … Read More “Election of ISA Secretary-General mired by accusations of bribery and corruption” »

What I’m watching for at this month’s ISA meeting: The Vibes

Posted on By Andrew Thaler 1 Comment on What I’m watching for at this month’s ISA meeting: The Vibes
Featured, Policy

The International Seabed Authority is meeting this month in Jamaica, but it is not the entire International Seabed Authority. Only the Legal and Technical Commission and the Council meet this months. The Legal and Technical Commission is a body of experts that reviews documents and proposals, usually in private as many contain privileged information from … Read More “What I’m watching for at this month’s ISA meeting: The Vibes” »

What I’m watching for at this month’s ISA meeting: How to Value Cultural Heritage on the High Seas?

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Featured, Policy

Cultural Heritage is a bit of a tough concept when working in areas beyond national jurisdiction. By definition, the places being considered for deep-sea mining by the International Seabed Authority exist at least 200 nautical miles from land and human habitation. Even most submerged archeological sites lie on continental shelves within nations’ exclusive economic zones. … Read More “What I’m watching for at this month’s ISA meeting: How to Value Cultural Heritage on the High Seas?” »

What I’m watching for at this month’s ISA meeting: untangling the financial regime

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Featured, Policy

The Common Heritage of Mankind. The core principle that underlies all of the negotiations surrounding deep-sea mining beyond national borders is that these resources don’t belong to any one person, organization, or nation, but to humankind as a whole, to be exploited (or not) for the benefit of the world as a whole. With the … Read More “What I’m watching for at this month’s ISA meeting: untangling the financial regime” »

What I’m watching for at this month’s ISA meeting: How are pro-moratorium member states dealing with their own mining leases?

Posted on By Andrew Thaler 1 Comment on What I’m watching for at this month’s ISA meeting: How are pro-moratorium member states dealing with their own mining leases?
Featured, Policy

One curious contradiction in the International Seabed Authority is that some of the member states that are currently most vocal about enforcing a strong moratorium (if not outright ban) on deep-sea mining also currently hold ISA exploration leases. The UK and France, as well as Germany and Brazil, have all made statements in support of … Read More “What I’m watching for at this month’s ISA meeting: How are pro-moratorium member states dealing with their own mining leases?” »

What I’m watching for at this month’s ISA meeting: How the Council responds to the NORI-D Incident

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Featured, Policy

In November and December of 2023, Greenpeace activists boarded a deep-sea mining vessel conducting exploratory research in the Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone. The executive summary is that the ISA issued interim measure pursuant to Regulation 33 of the Regulations on Prospecting and Exploration for Polymetallic Nodules in an attempt to compel Greenpeace to halt its … Read More “What I’m watching for at this month’s ISA meeting: How the Council responds to the NORI-D Incident” »

Updated financial model for deep-sea mining makes more sense, fewer dollars

Posted on By Andrew Thaler
Education, Featured

On Friday, I posted about the financial model used to project the potential profits from a hypothetical polymetallic nodule mining model in the Clarion Clipperton Zone. This model, originally commissioned in 2018 and updated in 2021/22, had some puzzling prices for manganese in particular. This model is extremely important. Beginning late this month, member states … Read More “Updated financial model for deep-sea mining makes more sense, fewer dollars” »