A left-wing environmentalist party in Norway has temporarily halted the government's plans for deep-sea mining in the Arctic. On Sunday, the Socialist Left Party (SV), which supports the minority government, secured a delay in return for backing the national budget.

"We are stopping the opening of seabed mining," said SV leader Kirsti Bergstø. While the government had intended to issue its first exploration permits in 2025, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre clarified that the suspension is temporary, with preparatory work like drafting regulations and assessing environmental impacts continuing.

Norway, known for its wealth from hydrocarbon reserves, had been preparing to lead in ocean-floor mining, targeting metals essential for the green energy transition. However, green activists and an international coalition, including Germany, France, and Brazil, opposed the move. Greenpeace Norway’s leader Frode Pleym celebrated the decision, calling it a significant victory against a "destructive industry."

The halted licensing process had attracted interest from companies like Loke, Green Minerals, and Adepth, which planned to bid. Despite the setback, opposition parties leading in polls ahead of September's elections, including the Conservatives and the Progress Party, favor deep-sea mining. Greenpeace has vowed to resist any attempts to revive the initiative.

Preliminary studies suggest Norway's seabed contains vast deposits of valuable metals and minerals, such as copper and rare earth elements. For now, however, mining in the Arctic remains on hold.

Deep-sea mining poses risks to fragile ecosystems and biodiversity. The pause allows time to assess its impacts, but resuming plans could set a harmful precedent for exploiting vulnerable ocean areas.

Early, the Arctic Century reported that Norway’s deep-sea mining plans face strong opposition.

Source: Reuters.

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