Interest in the Arctic’s natural resources is growing, including its deep-sea mineral resources. Two Arctic countries are moving ahead with plans for deep-sea mining, Norway and the U.S., despite mounting scientific evidence of the risks.
The Arctic’s deep-sea ecosystems are fragile, slow to recover and poorly understood, making them especially vulnerable to new industries. Knowledge gaps, harsh environmental conditions, and technological challenges compound the risks, while legal and regulatory frameworks remain incomplete. This is why global momentum for precaution is growing.
In this policy brief, published at the beginning of the Arctic Circle Assembly 2025, we explain how Arctic countries now face a clear choice: rush into risky exploitation or lead by example with a science-led moratorium on deep-sea mining that safeguards the ocean while investing in sustainable alternatives.
(Sea anemone feature photo courtesy of Greenpeace.)
Posted on: 15 October 2025
