Deep Sea Minerals - Vol 2 - Manganese Nodules

3.1

Environmental management objectives

A key issue at the outset, before any exploration or extraction occurs, is the clear definition of environmental objectives that will guide the management of any furture operations. These will vary regionally and nationally, but are typically directed at two broad goals: • To maintain overall biodiversity and ecosystem health and function; and • To reduce, mitigate and, where possible, prevent adverse ef- fects of mining and pollution that can affect wider habitats and ecosystems. A further key consideration is integrating environmental man- agement strategies with other, related efforts and agreements aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of the marine environment. This includes national and regional initiatives, as well as such global frameworks as the Convention on Biological Diversity’s process to identify ecologically or biologically signif- icant areas and the UN General Assembly Resolutions to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems.

Sampling manganese nodules. Photo courtesy BGR.

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