Deep-sea biodiversity warns against rushing seafloor mining

An analysis by Andrew D. Thaler argues that the highly interconnected and fragile ecosystems around hydrothermal vents (exemplified by Solwara I off Papua New Guinea) are unlikely to withstand mining, and that even optimistic scenarios would cause unacceptable harm. The piece notes the Solwara I project failed and PNG’s moratorium on deep-sea mining, while highlighting a renewed U.S. push to permit seabed mining. It cautions that ongoing discovery of new deep-sea life would be jeopardized by premature exploitation, urging cautious governance and more study before rushing to mine the deep ocean.