Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Rapid Support Forces attack El-Fasher, west Sudan.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: One martyr and one wounded in an Israeli drone attack on the town of Hafir, west of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone fired three missiles in the vicinity of the town of Bodai, west of Baalbek.
Reuters: The Rapid Support Forces announced that they have taken over the headquarters of the Sudanese Armed Forces in al-Fasher.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Qlailah, Southern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.

Trump deep-sea mining order sparks irreversible ecosystem damage fears

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 26 Apr 2025 23:27
3 Min Read

The decision comes amid concerns over China’s dominance in critical minerals like nickel, cobalt, and manganese—key materials in high-tech and military industries.

Listen
  • x
  • Trump’s mining order sparks fears of irreversible ecosystem damage
    Donald Trump during a campaign town hall on October 14, 2024, in Oaks, Pennsylvania (AP)

Environmental groups are criticizing a new executive order from Donald Trump that accelerates deep-sea mining, warning it could cause lasting harm to marine ecosystems and bypasses ongoing efforts to set global rules for the practice.

Signed Thursday, Trump disregarded international norms by pushing for the rapid expansion of deep-sea mining in both domestic and international waters, prompting Beijing to angrily condemn the move as a violation of international law.

The decision comes amid concerns over China’s dominance in critical minerals like nickel, cobalt, and manganese—key materials in high-tech and military industries. Trump framed the move as a step toward making the US a "global leader in seabed mineral exploration and development both within and beyond national jurisdiction.” 

The order follows an announcement by Canada-based The Metals Company, which said it plans to seek approval through a US subsidiary to mine in international waters. In a statement Friday, the company said it aims to apply for permits this year to extract mineral-rich nodules to help bolster US critical mineral supply chains.

“As always, we remain committed to acting in the best interests of our sponsoring states, partners, investors, and the planet,” said CEO and chairman Gerard Barron.

Over 30 nations push for moratorium

Related News

US troops may miss paycheck by November 15: Bessent

China set to delay rare earths restrictions 1 year: Bessent

However, environmental groups warn the mining could threaten fisheries and disrupt the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide, a key factor in climate change driven by fossil fuel emissions.

More than 30 nations, along with environmental groups, fisheries organizations, and some auto and tech companies, are pushing for a moratorium on seabed mining.

Jeff Watters, vice-president for external affairs at the Ocean Conservancy, said, “Scientists agree that deep-sea mining is a deeply dangerous endeavor for our ocean and all of us who depend on it,” adding, “The harm caused by deep-sea mining isn’t restricted to the ocean floor: it will impact the entire water column, top to bottom, and everyone and everything relying on it.”

These concerns led most countries in the 1990s to join the United Nations-affiliated International Seabed Authority to regulate mining in international waters. However, the US never signed onto the agreement and has yet to implement its own rules.

'Greed before common sense'

Watters cautioned that rejecting those efforts "is opening the door for other countries to do the same" before protections are implemented. Duncan Currie, legal counsel for the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, cautioned that the implications might extend beyond deep-sea mining, impacting agreements on fishing, shipping, navigation, and marine research.

The world must also consider whether it can afford to stop mining deep-sea minerals that may contribute to the development of low-carbon technology to combat climate change, as well as whether the consequences can be handled, according to Assheton Stewart Carter, CEO of the global consulting firm TDi Sustainability.

“We face tough choices and the prospect of uncomfortable trade-offs if we are to face and find solutions to serious climate change problems,” Carter noted. 

Katie Matthews, chief scientist at the advocacy organization Oceana, criticized Trump’s directive, calling it "a clear case of putting mining companies’ greed over common sense … Any attempt to accelerate deep-sea mining without proper safeguards will only speed up the destruction of our oceans.”

  • Donald Trump
  • US President Donald Trump
  • mining
  • executive order
  • United States

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV, October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)
Politics

Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

A Russian cargo train arrives at Astara Railway Wharf, March 2018 (IRNA)
Economy

Tehran, Moscow to finalize INSTC rail project next month

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf addresses the media after submitting his candidacy for the Islamic Republic's upcoming presidential election in Tehran on June 3, 2024 (AP)
Politics

UNSCR 2231 termination marks major win for Iran’s diplomacy: Qalibaf

ap
Politics

'Israel' killed 40 Palestinian children in West Bank since January: UN

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS