In March of the previous year, the Cook Islands in the South Pacific welcomed two distinct ships. One was a grand cruise ship, bringing in a multitude of tourists to the unspoiled shores of this nation with a population of 15,000. The other, a striking neon-orange vessel loaded with sophisticated scientific gear, was a rare sight.
Prime Minister Mark Brown and various other notable figures gathered on a nearby wharf to commemorate the arrival of the smaller boat. To Mr. Brown, the cruise ship symbolized the country’s concerning reliance on tourism. He viewed the other vessel, owned by a global mining corporation, as a symbol of immense prosperity.
The Cook Islands are leading the charge in the exploration of mining the ocean floor for minerals essential for electric vehicle batteries. While large-scale mining of these deposits has not been attempted before, advocates argue that their reserves are so extensive that extracting them could fuel the global transition away from fossil fuels.
This potential transformation could also bring significant wealth to the Cook Islands, with seabed mining projected to generate billions of dollars for the small nation, as per a 2019 study. Currently, its per capita income stands at around $11,000.
Despite the promising prospects, seabed mining is facing strong opposition from environmentalists concerned about its potential impact on deep-sea ecology. Over 800 scientists have called for a halt to the practice, along with countries like France, the United Kingdom, and major corporations such as Google and BMW.
Mining companies have been conducting surveys for two years to assess the feasibility of seabed mining in the Cook Islands’ waters. The government is set to make a decision in 2027 on whether to permit it, facing mounting pressure from critics at home and abroad who argue that it is rushing into uncharted territory.
Duncan Currie, an advisor to various international conservation organizations, criticized the government’s aggressive promotion of deep-sea mining, highlighting concerns about potential adverse effects.
Mr. Brown clarified that the Cook Islands have not yet committed to mining.
He acknowledged the criticism but emphasized that exploring the possibilities of seabed mining is part of their journey towards sovereign independence.
In a previous instance, Mr. Brown vehemently defended the country against critics, accusing them of hypocrisy and patronizing behavior.
The Cook Islands, a chain of 15 islands formerly under New Zealand’s rule, have been self-governing since 1965. Following this semi-independent status, international research vessels began surveying the country’s vast territorial waters, spanning approximately 756,000 square miles, comparable to Mexico’s land area.
The researchers…
2024-05-10 00:45:56
Article from www.nytimes.com