Green Economy in a Blue World-Full Report

in a Blue World

The deep-sea mining technique proposed destroys the physical habitat of the sea floor and associated biota. One of the main concerns voiced regardingdeep-seamining is thepotential for the release of large amounts of particulate matter into the water column, both from the collection process and the return of turbidity- laden seawater from the ship-board dewatering of the ore (Halfar & Fujita, 2007 and Sharma, 2011). This may be detrimental to organisms living close to the mine site and potentially those further afield (in response to concerns about pelagic fish, Nautilus has developed a solution to return the water to the seafloor). Mining may also affect surrounding organisms through the

introduction of invasive species, toxic substances from the deposit, spilt ore and pollutants (such as hydraulic fluid, etc.) and vibration. In addition, mining introduces light into an otherwise dark world, which could potentially interfere with the feeding and reproductive behaviour of organisms (Nautilus, 2008). Deep-sea mining activity at the lift/riser site and also the increase in support vessel traffic could cause some displacement of artisanal or industrial fishing. It is also possible that mining activity could prevent future use of the mining site for bioprospecting, deep-sea tourism, or research science.

Ship Concentrate

Processing

Market

Shipping the concentrate causes carbon emissions as well as the risk of polluting the ocean with toxic metals

Metals processing is highly polluting

Shipping to market causes carbon emissions as well as the risk of polluting the ocean

Shipping activity may disrupt fishing activity.

May require new facilities if seafloor metals differ significantly in processing needs from terrestrial minerals

Policy focus may be drawn away from from non-exhaustable resources such as tourism

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