Nov 2, 2023 – A proposed moratorium on deep-sea mining has found support in Westminster in a surprising about-face by the UK government. Rishi Sunak’s administration had drawn heavy criticism from environmentalists for previously backing exploitation of the seabed for critical minerals such as cobalt and lithium. But environment secretary Thérèse Coffey announced on Monday that the government would add its voice to 24 other countries calling for a ‘precautionary pause’ on exploitation licences until the impact on marine ecosystems had been assessed. The moratorium is on the agenda this week during ongoing negotiations in Jamaica at the International Seabed Authority, the global regulator for mining in international waters. Keep READING.
