Following the plenary debate held on 17 January 2024, Members of the European Parliament are due to vote on a motion for a resolution on Norway’s decision to advance seabed mining in the Arctic during the February plenary session.
Certain raw materials, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese and graphite, are critical to sustain the green and digital transitions, and for the defence and aerospace sectors.
On 9 January 2024, the Norwegian Parliament (Stortinget) endorsed the government’s proposal to allow exploration for the possible extraction of seabed minerals on the Norwegian continental shelf. Extraction licences for businesses will require further parliamentary approval. The aim is to mine important critical raw materials that are increasingly needed for the green and digital transitions, and the defence and aerospace sector. However, these developments have raised concerns in the country and beyond, as the practice risks hurting the deep-sea ecosystem, the fishing industry and coastal communities.
Story by EU research service
