New Zealand will undertake a evaluation of the dangers and advantages of seabed mining and whether or not home regulation is required.
Environment Minister David Parker mentioned there was a variety of sturdy views on seabed mining and a evaluation would give New Zealanders a say on the problem.
“Concerns about the environmental impacts of seabed mining need to be considered, along with the potential role that minerals recovered by seabed mining could play in New Zealand’s transition to a decarbonised economy,” Mr Parker mentioned in an announcement on Friday.
Seabed mining is allowed in NZ however it must be authorised by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Although three initiatives have been proposed to the company none has been given last clearance.
An more and more contentious debate is occurring over whether or not the world’s seabeds ought to be mined for nickel and different inexperienced vitality transition minerals.
Last October, NZ backed a conditional moratorium on seabed mining in areas past nationwide jurisdiction.
“New Zealand’s international position does not require the government to change its domestic approach to seabed mining but having backed a conditional moratorium, it is timely to examine our own regulatory settings,” Mr Parker mentioned.
Feedback and inquiry findings from the evaluation would inform any regulatory adjustments, the federal government mentioned.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
