Metal mining on land versus the ocean in the context of the current Biodiversity Crisis

2025/03/05 by Verena Tunnicliffe, Luis Enrique Sánchez, Gavin M. Mudd +5 · 1 voice
Engineering · Environmental Science · #Extraction and Separation Processes #Mining and Resource Management #Recycling and Waste Management Techniques

paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/s44183-025-00110-z

openalex publication_date 2025/03/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23

Abstract

As climate change and biodiversity loss intensify, the deep seabed beckons as a source of metals for batteries. Initiating this new exploitation conflicts with international agreements to decelerate biodiversity loss through wider protections of ecosystem integrity. The poor record of terrestrial mining must not be an excuse to mine the ocean floor. Improved oversight and biodiversity protection as miners increase production on land will produce a better global biodiversity outcome.

Citations

• International principles and standards for the practice of ecological restoration. Second edition

Discussions

• 3/ A double win is possible: improve land mining oversight while pausing deep-sea mining until we understand the consequences. Protecting biodiversity should be a priority over expanding resource extr [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]

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