What's happened
The Philippines and India are increasing mining activities to meet global demand for critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies. Environmental groups in the Philippines are pushing for strict limits to safeguard nature and Indigenous territories, while Greenpeace faces expulsion from the UN body over disputes with The Metals Company regarding deep-sea mining's environmental impact.
Why it matters
The surge in deep-sea mining activities in the Philippines and India to extract critical minerals for renewable energy technologies highlights the delicate balance between resource exploitation and environmental conservation. The demands of environmental groups and the tensions between Greenpeace and mining companies underscore the growing global concern over the environmental impact of mining practices.
What the papers say
The Japan Times reports on the Philippines' efforts to ramp up mining activities to meet global demand for metals crucial to the green energy transition, with environmental groups advocating for strict limits to protect nature and Indigenous lands. South China Morning Post covers the tensions between Greenpeace and The Metals Company over deep-sea mining in the Clarion-Clipperton zone, highlighting the environmental concerns surrounding the extraction of polymetallic nodules. BBC News discusses India's pursuit of deep-sea exploration licences to secure critical minerals for renewable energy technologies, amidst increasing competition with major global powers like China and Russia.
How we got here
The push for deep-sea mining stems from the rising demand for minerals essential for clean energy technologies, such as cobalt, nickel, copper, and manganese. Countries like the Philippines, India, China, and Russia are vying to access vast mineral deposits located thousands of meters below the ocean surface. However, this quest for resources has sparked environmental concerns, particularly regarding the potential impact on marine ecosystems and Indigenous territories.
More on these topics