The Norwegian parliament has approved plans for seabed mining. Environmental organizations and scientists warn about the possible impact on marine ecosystems. “A shame,” is even said here and there.
Norway, which is currently a major producer of fossil fuels, is one of the first countries in the world to allow the controversial practice. The government’s proposal would make 280,000 square kilometers of the national seabed (an area larger than the United Kingdom) available for deep-sea mining.
The Northern European country hopes to become an important producer of minerals by tapping into the seabed. The decision should also help the country with the energy transition. The Norwegian parliament must always approve permits for future mining projects. According to the BBC, the Norwegian government also said it wanted to approach it cautiously and would first wait for more research into the ecological consequences.
Protest at parliament building
According to authorities, the soil most likely contains large reserves of minerals, including copper, cobalt, zinc and rare earth metals. These raw materials are important for the green transition and are used for batteries, wind turbines, computers and smartphones.
Opponents gathered in front of the parliament building to express their dissatisfaction. “It is a shame that Norway is creating a precedent for other countries to do the same,” says Frode Pleym, spokesperson for the Norwegian branch of Greenpeace.
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