Norway Set to Greenlight Controversial Deep-Sea Mining

Norway is set to approve a proposal to open its waters for deep-sea mining, making it one of the first countries to do so. The plan, which has received cross-party support, would allow companies to apply for licenses to mine for critical minerals near the Svalbard archipelago. While advocates argue that deep-sea mining is necessary for the global transition away from fossil fuels, critics and scientists warn of its potentially destructive environmental impacts and the lack of understanding of deep-sea habitats and biodiversity. The proposal has faced opposition from environmental groups, EU lawmakers, and the Norway Environment Agency, as well as conflicting with the U.K. and the European Commission's push for a temporary ban on deep-sea mining due to environmental concerns.