In March of last year, two ships arrived in the Cook Islands in the South Pacific. One was a massive cruise ship bringing tourists, and the other was a neon-orange vessel with scientific equipment for potential seabed mining for minerals used in electric car batteries. Prime Minister Mark Brown sees seabed mining as a way to generate wealth for the tiny country, which currently has a per capita income of about $11,000. However, environmentalists are concerned about the potential ecological damage of seabed mining, and there are calls for a moratorium on the practice from more than 800 scientists and several countries and companies.
Mining companies have been surveying the feasibility of seabed mining in the Cook Islands’ waters for the past two years. The government is expected to make a decision in 2027 on whether to allow seabed mining and faces criticism both at home and abroad for potentially rushing into untested practices. Prime Minister Brown insists that the Cook Islands have not committed to mining, but the country is exploring the possibilities as part of its journey towards sovereign independence.
The Cook Islands has been self-governing since 1965 and has been exploring the possibility of mining mineral-rich nodules on the ocean floor. The country’s territorial waters cover a vast area, and the potential mining industry could bring significant wealth to the nation. Advocates for seabed mining argue that it is a more environmentally friendly way to extract minerals for electric vehicle batteries compared to traditional open-pit surface mines.
Critics of seabed mining, such as marine biologist Teina Rongo, are concerned about the potential destruction of deep-sea ecosystems and point to the negative impact of mining on countries like Nauru. Environmentalists worry about a repeat of Nauru’s decline into poverty due to mismanagement of mineral resources. The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority emphasizes a science-based approach to ensure responsible mining practices, but some critics feel that the government has become too close to mining companies.
There is a divide in public opinion in the Cook Islands regarding seabed mining, with some residents feeling that the government has already made a decision to pursue mining regardless of opposition. Government committees have gathered resident’s views on the practice, but many believe that seabed mining will move forward. Despite the controversy surrounding seabed mining, the government insists that independent observers are monitoring survey ships to ensure the reliability of data that will inform the decision on whether to pursue mining.
