Deep Sea Mining: Risk and Uncertainty

The ISA needs to finalise the rules governing deep-sea mining in international waters, known in legal terms as the Area, which is governed by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) framework. As well as developing the rules, regulations and procedures (RRPs) on exploitation, the ISA also oversees what is considered “the common heritage of mankind.” This immense responsibility means ensuring equitable sharing of financial gains and other benefits from mining the Area’s resources. In simple terms, the ISA must create a system that makes mining companies and broader society stakeholders in this untapped resource. As the clock ticks towards the extended 2025 deadline, stakeholders from all corners will watch the ISA’s next steps keenly.

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