Deep-Sea Mining
The International Seabed Authority is convening in Jamaica this week to discuss finalizing rules for deep-sea mining by year's end. Indigenous advocates push for inclusion of their rights and cultural ties to the ocean amid concerns over environmental impacts. The accelerated timeline responds to U.S. President Donald Trump's policies promoting mining outside international frameworks.
Imeripotiwa na AI
Japan is speeding up a decade-old plan to extract rare earths from the deep seabed, driven by efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese supplies. A state-owned vessel is set to return to port this month after installing equipment in Japanese waters near a coral atoll 2,000 kilometers from Tokyo, with tests to pull metal-bearing mud potentially starting as early as February 2027. The initiative underscores the country's focus on economic security.