{"id":2823,"date":"2023-08-04T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-04T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www-prod.greenpeace.org\/usa\/campaign-updates\/2823\/greenpeace-usa-slams-mining-companys-plans-to-circumvent-international-political-processes\/"},"modified":"2025-04-23T16:17:18","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T16:17:18","slug":"greenpeace-usa-slams-mining-companys-plans-to-circumvent-international-political-processes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/usa\/greenpeace-usa-slams-mining-companys-plans-to-circumvent-international-political-processes\/","title":{"rendered":"Greenpeace USA Slams Mining Company\u2019s Plans to Circumvent International Political Processes"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThe recent announcement by The Metals Company (TMC) to submit a deep sea mining application in 2024 goes against the growing wave of global objections to this destructive industry. It is the latest manifestation of the industry\u2019s reckless and aggressive profit-driven approach to circumvent international political processes.”<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Protest
Greenpeace activists from New Zealand and Mexico confront the deep sea mining vessel “Hidden Gem” off the coast of Manzanillo, Mexico, as it returned to port from the Pacific.
\nThe “Hidden Gem”, commissioned by Canadian miner “The Metals Company”, has just returned from eight weeks of test mining in the Clarion Clipperton Zone between Mexico and Hawaii. One of the biggest vessels of its type in the world, the ship planned to mine 3,600 tonnes of polymetallic nodules from the seafloor in a trial that could pave the way for full scale commercial mining.
\nGreenpeace Mexico activists meet the “Hidden Gem” in kayaks holding “Stop Deep Sea Mining” banners while Greenpeace Aotearoa campaigner James Hita delivers a message to the captain of the Hidden Gem via radio.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThe recent announcement by The Metals Company (TMC) to submit a deep sea mining application in 2024 goes against the growing wave of global objections to this destructive industry. It is the latest manifestation of the industry\u2019s reckless and aggressive profit-driven approach to circumvent international political processes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Protest
Greenpeace activists from New Zealand and Mexico confront the deep sea mining vessel \u201cHidden Gem\u201d off the coast of Manzanillo, Mexico, as it returned to port from the Pacific.
\nThe \u201cHidden Gem\u201d, commissioned by Canadian miner \u201cThe Metals Company\u201d, has just returned from eight weeks of test mining in the Clarion Clipperton Zone between Mexico and Hawaii. One of the biggest vessels of its type in the world, the ship planned to mine 3,600 tonnes of polymetallic nodules from the seafloor in a trial that could pave the way for full scale commercial mining.
\nGreenpeace Mexico activists meet the \u201cHidden Gem\u201d in kayaks holding \u201cStop Deep Sea Mining\u201d banners while Greenpeace Aotearoa campaigner James Hita delivers a message to the captain of the Hidden Gem via radio.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

WASHINGTON, DC (August 3, 2023)<\/strong>\u2013In response to The Metals Company\u2019s <\/strong>Announcement <\/strong><\/a>to submit a deep sea mining application following the July 2024 meeting of the International Seabed Authority, Greenpeace USA\u2019s Deep Sea Mining campaign lead Arlo Hemphill said: <\/strong>\u201cThe recent announcement by The Metals Company (TMC) to submit a deep sea mining application in 2024 goes against the growing wave of global objections to this destructive industry. It is the latest manifestation of the industry\u2019s reckless and aggressive profit-driven approach to circumvent international political processes. They are trying to force the hands of global governments to allow them to start mining before any form of international agreement is made on how and if such an activity should be allowed to move forward. Despite the outlier country of Nauru pushing for progress without regulations and a few pro-mining governments advocating for a quicker timeline, the ISA\u2019s member states placed no caveats on their decision that mining should not proceed until the code is completed. TMC should respect that.\u201d<\/p>\n

TMC, traded on the NASDAQ, has been actively courting US investment<\/a> for its deep sea mining ventures and opportunities to use US infrastructure, such as ports, in its production chain. Together with nine members of Congress, they recently submitted a letter to President Biden and the Pentagon, urging the Administration to consider deep-sea mining for minerals and military applications. TMC subsidiary NORI and its offshore partner and shareholder Allseas are now planning to increase the production capacity of the Project Zero Offshore System by 130%. U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) also recently introduced two measures calling for a moratorium on deep seabed <\/a>mining unless and until its consequences are fully understood and an appropriate protective regulatory regime is established. The company has seen its share price plummet during the 3-week ISA meeting and in the days following the decision of its assembly.<\/p>\n

Hemphill continued:<\/strong> \u201cRepresentative Case has taken commendable action to protect the deep sea from further destruction and ensure that the United States is on the right side of history. With the current ecological and climate crises, it is crucial to conserve the last remaining untouched wilderness on earth, which plays a crucial role in the battle against climate change. We cannot entrust the future of this vital and life-sustaining ecosystem to desperate corporate entities that have demonstrated their inability to act in the public\u2019s best interest. TMC\u2019s plan for increased production is a desperate cash grab that also sets the stage for more environmental impacts. Governments must act as responsible stewards of the ocean, prioritizing conservation and protection over exploitation. They must listen to the science that unequivocally shows that this industry threatens the oceans. Failure to do so would be a grave disservice to our planet and future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n