Norway remains on the way to potentially becoming the first seabed mining country. Norwegian leadership announced that 386 blocks will be auctioned early next year. Environmental groups have sharply criticized the government.

The Ministry of Energy has announced the start of the first phase of seabed mining licensing. The proposal includes 386 sites in Norwegian waters between Svalbard, Iceland, and mainland Norway.

The Norwegian branch of the WWF called this decision "environmentally irresponsible" as it could cause irreversible damage to the entire marine ecosystem.

Norway recognises itself at the forefront of seabed development initiatives, despite strict warnings from national and international experts and significant criticism from the European Union and global research communities.

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