Mining the bottom of the ocean for precious metals is a dangerous proposition, given the near-freezing temperatures and crushing pressures, but it's being increasingly optioned by nations and mining companies eager for raw materials like cobalt and nickel. Last week, officials met in Kingston, Jamaica to discuss international regulations for deep sea mining, operations many scientists and policymakers oppose due to the potential harm they can cause to the environment.
The International Seabed Authority (ISA), a United Nations-affiliated group, faces pressure to establish rules that protect ecosystems on the ocean floor, many of which are still being investigated. After a "two-year rule" expired earlier in July, the meeting was held as part of negotiations on how nations should proceed with ocean floor mining ventures.
