- Write by:
-
Friday, September 16, 2022 - 19:57:04
-
463 Visit
-
Print
Mining News Pro - In a recent study, researchers at the University of Helsinki suggest that mining in shallow marine areas is in direct conflict with international conservation and sustainability goals, as the activity poses severe environmental risks.
The paper, published in the journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution, points out that since mining in deep sea areas is considerably expensive, extracting nickel, cobalt and other battery metals from shallow marine areas has been proposed as a more sustainable solution to the increasing demand for materials needed for the green energy transition.
In detail, shallow-water mining takes place at depths less than 200 metres and it has been touted as less destructive than terrestrial mining and less risky than mining in poorly understood deep-water ecosystems. However, the authors of the study cast doubt on this assertion.
In the paper, they note that extracting gold, cobalt, copper, and phosphorites from the shallow-water ocean floor requires dredging large amounts of sediment. Removing this sediment, which takes thousands of years to accumulate, means removing the organisms that call it home.
“Mineral mining alters habitats as well as causes local biodiversity loss and changes in species communities. The indirect effects of mining, such as the spread of swirling seabed material and harmful substances released from the seafloor and the clouding of water, contribute to impairing the state of the marine environment,” the scientific team said in a media statement.
The researchers also mentioned the ecosystems of shallow marine areas are already in a weakened state, as human activity is concentrated in coastal areas.
In their view, the overall environmental effects of shallow-water mining are probably similar to those of operations where the seafloor is excavated, such as dredging. This means that it can take decades for the ecosystems to recover.
“The possible environmental effects are in conflict with the latest conservation and sustainability goals,” Elina Virtanen, second author of the study, said in a media statement. “The EU and the UN have an ambitious goal of protecting 30% of all marine areas, and EU directives include items on achieving a good status for marine areas.”
For Virtanen and her colleagues, the precautionary principle should be applied to mining in shallow marine areas. They believe operations should not be permitted until their risks have been fully mapped.
The scientists also warn that discontinuing mining operations in shallow marine areas can be challenging if they are initiated before the relevant legislation is drafted and enacted.
Shallow-water mining projects are already underway in Namibia and Indonesia, and projects have been proposed in Mexico, New Zealand, and Sweden.
Short Link:
https://www.miningnews.ir/En/News/622185
Oxford Economics Australia has released data showing mine maintenance spending may be hitting its peak. But what does it ...
South African diversified miner Sibanye Stillwater is discussing with lenders to temporarily lift limits on borrowings, ...
The Philippines said on Friday it aimed to add three more processing plants in the effort to develop a downstream ...
Copper climbed above $10,000 a ton as predictions for tighter global supplies and rising consumption in electric ...
Canada’s mining industry is pushing for an carveout to the federal government’s proposed increase to capital gains ...
Copper output in Chile, the world’s largest producer of the metal, edged down in March, data from copper commission ...
Panama’s president-elect has ruled out talks with Canadian miner First Quantum Minerals until it drops multiple ...
Africa-focused Montage Gold announced Thursday it has received a ministerial order granting all environmental approvals ...
Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi vowed to protect the country’s interests, including its 15% stake in diamond giant ...
No comments have been posted yet ...