Greenpeace Malaysia joins the call for a global moratorium on deep-sea mining by spotlighting ‘Hidden Gem’ vessel docked in Labuan set to mine international ocean depths.
Labuan, Malaysia – Greenpeace Malaysia stages an action against the deep-sea mining vessel ‘Hidden Gem’, docked off the coast of Labuan, urging the government to back a global moratorium on the controversial industry, which scientists warn pose serious and potentially irreversible threats to ocean systems, marine biodiversity, and climate stability.
The Hidden Gem vessel, commissioned by The Metals Company (TMC) and owned by Allseas, is part of a broader push to bypass international safeguards set by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), despite mounting concerns of long-term environmental harm by almost 40 countries. This follows an executive order signed by the U.S. President Donald Trump to fast-track ocean floor mining permits.
As ISA holds critical talks in Jamaica this month on the possibility of approving mining in international waters, the demonstration, joined by Greenpeace volunteer Sharifah Sofia, comes as part of a global campaign to raise the alarm on:
- The need for ocean protection and environmental rights.
- To stop deep sea mining before it begins with a global moratorium.
- And to expose Allseas’ connection to the destructive deep-sea mining industry while asking them to stop their support of TMC.
Greenpeace is calling on Malaysians to join the global community in demanding a global moratorium on deep sea mining; a call echoed by scientists, Indigenous communities, and concerned citizens worldwide. At the same time, we demand Malaysia sign the Global Ocean Treaty into law in order to protect 30% of our oceans by 2030.
Greenpeace Malaysia Campaign Lead Heng Kiah Chun said:
“The deep sea is one of the last wild places on Earth, home to life we barely understand. Deep-sea mining could destroy it forever, wiping out species that took millions of years to evolve. The science is clear: We cannot gamble with the ocean’s future. Our oceans are not for sale. That’s why we’re calling for a global moratorium on deep-sea mining to stop deep-sea mining before it starts, and to protect our blue planet before it’s too late.”
Environmental advocate Sharifah Sofia said:
“We’re on the brink of no return, yet our species’ continues racking up environmental debts that no one can afford to pay. The word ‘crisis’ is not strong enough to convey the fearful feeling of the alarming speed at which climate change is progressing – and we can’t adapt fast enough. Deep sea mining is not a step into the future, it is a countdown to global destruction.”
Photos available here ©Greenpeace
