In a significant shift, Norway has put a pause on its ambitious project aiming to exploit 280,000 square kilometers of its seabed for commercial-scale deep-sea mining. Initially, the government had set plans to allow mining companies to extract precious metals from an area larger than the UK, but the Socialist Left Party threatened to withdraw support from the government's budget unless the first licensing round, scheduled for 2025, was scrapped. Environmental scientists raised alarms over the potential catastrophic impacts on marine ecosystems, causing opposition from 32 countries, including major players like France, Canada, Brazil, and Germany.
Norway Halts Deep-Sea Mining Project Amid Environmental Concerns
Norway Halts Deep-Sea Mining Project Amid Environmental Concerns
Norway suspends its controversial deep-sea mining initiative following pressure from environmental groups and political parties.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoer labeled the decision as a “postponement,” affirming that the government will continue its preparatory work on appropriate regulations and environmental assessments. Haldis Tjeldflaat Helle from Greenpeace Norway celebrated the halt as a significant victory, criticizing the government's previous stance of promoting itself as an ocean leader while planning extensive ocean exploitation. The Norwegian energy ministry responded yet has not made any further comments.
Since January, Norway has positioned itself as a pioneer in deep-sea mining; however, its plans have drawn substantial criticism from the EU and UK, urging a temporary ban due to environmental damage concerns. Over 100 EU lawmakers formally called on Oslo to reject the project, fearing risks to marine biodiversity and climate change exacerbation. Norway's Institute of Marine Research also contended that additional years of research would be necessary to understand the full environmental impact of the mining operation. Additionally, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Norway has mentioned it would sue the government over the mining plans. Several startups in Norway have expressed their intentions to bid during the first licensing round, but Green Minerals announced that the suspension could lead to a year-long delay in their plans.
The suspension reflects growing concerns regarding environmental stewardship and the urgent need to balance resource extraction with ecological responsibility.
Since January, Norway has positioned itself as a pioneer in deep-sea mining; however, its plans have drawn substantial criticism from the EU and UK, urging a temporary ban due to environmental damage concerns. Over 100 EU lawmakers formally called on Oslo to reject the project, fearing risks to marine biodiversity and climate change exacerbation. Norway's Institute of Marine Research also contended that additional years of research would be necessary to understand the full environmental impact of the mining operation. Additionally, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Norway has mentioned it would sue the government over the mining plans. Several startups in Norway have expressed their intentions to bid during the first licensing round, but Green Minerals announced that the suspension could lead to a year-long delay in their plans.
The suspension reflects growing concerns regarding environmental stewardship and the urgent need to balance resource extraction with ecological responsibility.
