Bottom line or Why should I know anything about deep seabed mining?

It would be quite surprizing if deep seabed or deep seabed mining meant anything to a common reader as the mass media does not cover it much if any. Obviously, there are much more urgent topics to cover instead like Covid-19 or Trump. Nevertheless, that does not mean that deep seabed mining is not a relevant or not essential topic.

There has been quite a bit of development in this field for the past 30 years, some more important than other. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel, more and more often it is possible to find articles about deep seabed mining. So, if you were unlucky enough to have no clue what deep seabed mining is about, I am willing to give you a few reasons why you should change it and at least know what it is so you would not be too surprised about it when someone will start to talk about it.

1. Minerals or natural resources.
The deep seabed is rich with minerals that are needed to sustain our current technology demand and will be even more essential for further technology advancements. All in all, resources at the bottom of the sea (various minerals, metals) could be used so everyone could enjoy an affordable new smartphone without paying more for the land-scarce metals.

2. Resources belong to everyone.
Most commonly natural resources have specific owners. For example, oil extracted in Russia belongs to Russia. Nevertheless, natural resources at the bottom of the sea do not follow this logic. All minerals at the seabed belong to everyone. Obviously, it does not mean that you can just dive (if you could), reach the seabed, and grab some minerals and it is yours (very likely it contains gold). Nevertheless, minerals at the seabed are something that every country and every person should benefit from. And I care very much how my belongings are managed.

3. Water pollution or environmental harm.
As the name implies deep seabed mining takes place at the bottom of the seas. Thus, all activities will have effects on the secluded marine environment under our beloved oceans and seas. It should not be difficult to understand what damage it can bring to the marine environment. I am positive that everyone is familiar from movies with what do various mining sites look like, or also what does the humongous machinery which is used in those mining sites look like. You should be at least slightly concerned if you like to spend your time on the beach and intend to continue doing so.

These reasons are only the tip of the iceberg, but hopefully it gives a sense of what is happening deep down on the seafloor and why you should not be oblivious of the matter. In later posts I will try to explain better and in more detail the magnitude and complexity of all concerns that I have raised.