Norway delays Arctic Ocean deep-sea mining amid public backlash
Norway’s government postponed its Arctic seabed mining plans after environmental groups, trade unions the fishing industry voiced strong opposition.
Gautama Mehta reports for Grist.
In short:
- Norway planned to allow deep-sea mining exploration in more than 100,000 square miles of the Arctic Ocean.
- Widespread public opposition led the Socialist Left party to delay the plan by leveraging the government’s annual budget negotiations.
- The delay could extend indefinitely, with environmentalists citing potential harm to marine ecosystems near hydrothermal vents.
Key quote:
“To large parts of Norwegian society, this came as a surprise when the Norwegian government suddenly announced that they were going for deep-sea mining, and it sparked a lot of outrage.”
— Haldis Tjeldflaat Helle, Greenpeace Nordic campaigner
Why this matters:
Deep-sea mining poses risks to fragile, little-known ecosystems that may hold unique species and insights into early life on Earth. Norway’s delay highlights the tension between environmental responsibility and the demand for minerals used in green technologies.
Related: Norway faces backlash over plans to mine the Arctic seafloor
