Norway has decided to suspend its controversial plans for deep-sea mining, responding to growing environmental concerns and a lawsuit filed by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The Socialist Left Party, a crucial ally of the minority government, announced this halt as a compromise to secure support for the 2025 budget. This decision comes after a report from the Norwegian Offshore Authority revealed substantial mineral deposits on the seabed, including copper, zinc, and cobalt, which are vital for renewable energy technologies such as batteries and wind turbines.
Initially, Norway had intended to open 280,000 square kilometers of its ocean territory for mining, aiming to position itself as a leader in seabed resource extraction. However, the deep-sea mining initiative has faced intense scrutiny from environmental advocates, who argue that such activities could severely disrupt fragile marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
The recent legal challenges have heightened the urgency for the government to reassess its approach, leading to the suspension of exploration license issuance for this year and the next. This shift reflects a growing recognition of the potential ecological impacts associated with deep-sea mining. As Norway navigates the balance between economic interests and environmental protection, the future of its seabed mining ambitions remains uncertain.
