Norway gives green light to deep-sea mining
Norway, considering itself one of the world’s most eco-friendly countries, is on track to become the first country to open its seabed for deep-sea industrial mining.
On January 9, the Norwegian parliament approved deep-sea mining with an overwhelming 80–20 vote. The mining will occur in the Norwegian exclusive economic zone, spanning 281,000 square kilometers at depths of 1,500 to 4,000 meters.
Energy Minister Terje Aasland emphasized that the initial phase will focus on mapping and exploration, not extraction, as more knowledge is needed to assess if mining can be done sustainably. Extraction plans must be approved by both the ministry and parliament.
Norwegian firm Loke sees deep-sea mining as a potential growth area for marine and renewable energy sectors, despite environmental concerns raised by groups like Greenpeace. Loke’s CEO, Walter Sognnes, argues that seabed mining is a better alternative to terrestrial mining, though activists continue to protest the initiative.
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