Federal Council actually wants moratorium: Swiss company involved in deep-sea mining

A company from Freiburg is after this treasure. The company Allseas, based in Châtel-Saint-Denis FR, wants to earn money from the tubers together with foreign partner companies. Lots of money.

So far, research has only been done in the deep sea to find out what the marine environment is like and how mineral degradation can affect it. Now the companies finally want to start dismantling. This requires rules that do not yet exist. Individual states, non-governmental organizations and scientists are fighting against mining because they fear the consequences for the environment.

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From Monday, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) will discuss the requirement for a moratorium. Switzerland is also committed to this. The Bundesrat is of the opinion that more scientific knowledge about the consequences of mining should first be available. And the protection of the marine environment must be guaranteed. Germany, Spain and the Netherlands are also in favor of a moratorium and France even wants a ban.

Allseas wants to launch quickly

Allseas is against a moratorium. Collecting tubers from the deep sea is safer and more sustainable than extracting them on land. Media spokesman Jeroen Hagelstein promises: If the current research eventually shows that the extraction of critical battery metals does more harm than good to the planet, “we will not seek a mining contract and will explore other options”.

Commercial extraction of nodules from the seabed will only be carried out after several years of environmental compatibility studies. “If these studies show that the risks outweigh the benefits, the global community, through the ISA, may decide that our project is off,” says Hagelstein.

When asked what a moratorium would mean financially for Allseas, media spokesman Hagelstein evaded: “A moratorium could mean we would reconsider the schedule.” If the ISA decides in the best interest of the group, they could start digging as early as late 2024. “Once the collection system is upgraded, we will be able to collect 1.3 million tons of tubers per year.”

Companies fund research

For Green National Councilor Raphaël Mahaim (40), on the other hand, environmental impact assessments are not enough. These are each locally restricted. “More research is needed into the extent to which deep-sea mining affects nature.”

In fact, however, the research is funded by the companies that hope to salvage the valuable resources later. “By demanding a moratorium, NGOs risk undermining the research they demand,” warns Jeroen Hagelstein of Allseas.

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Erik van Doorn, who conducts research at the Geomar Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research in Kiel, shares the fear. “Legally, research would still be possible even with a moratorium,” he says. “Now, however, many companies with a commercial interest are also investing in research. The question is whether they will continue to do so.” Then the states would have to intervene, demands Green National Councilor Mahaim. But do they?

The question is whether the states can actually agree on a moratorium. “I can also imagine calling it something else, for example a ‘precautionary break’,” says van Doorn. In addition, it is conceivable that strict rules will be introduced that make deep-sea mining impossible.