Deep-sea mining evidence review published

The deep-sea mining evidence review was commissioned by the UK Government in 2021. It is intended to provide a comprehensive description of current research related to deep-sea mining. It will inform the UK’s policy and future engagement with the deep-sea mining sector. It also informs the UK Government’s interaction with the International Seabed Authority (ISA), with regards to marine areas beyond national jurisdiction.

The evidence review captures the baseline data and knowledge to support informed decision making regarding the sustainable development of mineral resources in the deep sea.

The UK Government has framed the topics and questions through a ‘terms of reference’ for the review. The evidence review addresses these as follows:

• a review of existing peer-reviewed scientific data and research and other relevant, openly available publications
• analysis of the findings of a stakeholder engagement exercise
• development and analysis of a series of scenarios
• a commentary on the questions posed in the terms of reference, drawing on the entire body of evidence gathered during the review

The deep-sea mining evidence review has been generated by three research-led institutions: BGS, the National Oceanography Centre and Heriot-Watt University.

Scientists from these institutions undertook a full review of existing peer-reviewed data and research from academic journals. The research group also reviewed information from relevant publicly available publications from companies, regulators, research organisations and non-governmental bodies. To support the review, engagement with relevant stakeholders was undertaken, as well as compilation and review of responses to a series of questions.

Yes, the report went through a peer-review process in 2022.

Three independent, expert reviewers provided comment and analysis:

• David Cronan, professor of marine geochemistry, Imperial College, UK
• Nigel Steward, chief scientist, development and technology, Rio Tinto, Canada
• Richard Herrington, head of earth sciences, Natural History Museum, UK

The final report has been amended to take account of this process.

The deep-sea mining evidence review was not commissioned to make recommendations. However, the outcomes of the review can be summarised under three categories. These are:

• state of knowledge: what is known, based on the available evidence base
• key areas of uncertainty: what we do not know and what gaps exist in the evidence base
• some societal and policy choices highlighted as a result