Push to Mine Seabed in International Waters Faces Legal Hurdles

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is considering its first application for seabed mining in international waters. Legal scholars have warned that approving such an application could violate the ISA’s obligation under UNCLOS to protect the marine environment. The ISA has yet to finalize mining regulations and a push from some governments and companies is underway to start mining. Expert analyses suggest that any legal efforts to challenge the ISA’s decisions are likely weak, while approvals without regulation could expose the ISA to potential legal action regarding environmental protection responsibilities.