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.
