Chuck Darwin<p>A UN body that regulates deep international waters is preparing to elect its next leader, <br>a crucial position as it faces pressure to either ban, approve or place a moratorium on <a href="https://c.im/tags/seabed" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>seabed</span></a> <a href="https://c.im/tags/mining" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>mining</span></a>.</p><p>The upcoming election comes as the Jamaica-based 🔸International Seabed Authority 🔸ended a two-week session on Friday without reaching a consensus on a regulatory framework for deep-sea mining.</p><p>The drawn-out debate raises concerns that the authority could receive an application later this year seeking the first deep sea mining exploitation license without having rules or regulations in place.</p><p>The Metals Company, a Canadian-based mining company, is largely expected to be the first to apply for such a license.</p><p>Mining exploration has been ongoing in the 🔹Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, 🔹<br>which covers 1.7 million square miles (4.5 million square kilometers) between Hawaii and Mexico. </p><p>It is occurring at depths ranging from 13,000 to 19,000 feet (4,000 to 6,000 meters).</p><p>However, no exploitation licenses have been issued. </p><p>That could soon change given that some companies and countries are eager to mine the seabed and meet a surging demand for <a href="https://c.im/tags/precious" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>precious</span></a> <a href="https://c.im/tags/metals" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>metals</span></a> including cobalt, nickel and copper that are used in green technology.</p><p>♦️More than two dozen countries have called for a ban, pause or moratorium on deep-sea mining. ♦️</p><p>Companies including BMW and Samsung SDI also have pledged not to use raw materials from deep-sea mining.</p><p>However, proponents of deep-sea mining say it is cheaper and has less of an impact than land mining.</p><p>Olav Myklebust, the authority's council president, told reporters Friday that there are still outstanding issues regarding a proposed regulatory framework, including inspection, compliance and enforcement and how best to determine payments related to exploitation.</p><p>He and secretary general Michael Lodge, who is seeking a third term, did not say if exploitation should start despite the absence of rules and regulations.</p><p><a href="https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/international-seabed-authority-to-conduct-polls-amid-deep-sea-mining-debate-124072700323_1.html" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://www.</span><span class="ellipsis">business-standard.com/world-ne</span><span class="invisible">ws/international-seabed-authority-to-conduct-polls-amid-deep-sea-mining-debate-124072700323_1.html</span></a></p>