Deep-sea mining (DSM)—once the realm of Jules Verne—is closer to becoming a technological, economic and political reality. Governments and corporations are increasingly promoting extraction from the ocean floor, driven in large part by growing demand for “critical minerals” such as nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements needed for the global transition away from fossil fuels.
This talk explores three interrelated issues: emerging technologies and proposals for deep-sea mining in the Pacific, the geopolitics of the seabed, and the prospects for seabed mining in the waters around Aotearoa New Zealand. Along the way, it asks a central question: can deep-sea mining support a just, sustainable energy transition, or does it risk creating new environmental, economic and geopolitical challenges?
Glenn Banks is a Professor of Geography at Massey University with more than 35 years’ experience in the minerals sector in the Pacific. Most recently he worked with Forest and Bird on the TransTasman Resources proposal to mine the seabed off South Taranaki.
Part of the monthly series of talks brought to us by Royal Society of New Zealand Manawatū Branch.
Everyone welcome.
