Written question asked by Lord Mott (Conservative) on Monday, 16 December 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 January 2025. It was answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Labour) on Thursday, 2 January 2025 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.

Deep Sea Mining: Research

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what research they are undertaking on the long-term effects of deep-sea mining.

Answer

In 2022 the UK government commissioned an independent deep sea mining evidence review conducted by the British Geological Survey, National Oceanography Centre and Heriot Watt University and it was published in October 2022.

The government, through UK Research and Innovation and National Environment Research Council, (UKRI-NERC) is also funding the 5-year SMARTEX (Seabed Mining and Resilience to Experimental Impact) project which aims to build a better understanding of the ecosystem in the Pacific abyss and add to the scientific evidence base for informed decision-making by understanding the long-term environmental impacts of mining and whether this will have serious consequences for the ecosystem.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL3504
Session: 2024-26
Subjects: Research Deep sea mining
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Deep Sea Mining: Research

Secondary information

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