Deep sea mining in the Area : clouded in plumes of uncertainty

After decades of intense research and significant investments, the deep sea mining industry is gradually preparing to enter the exploitation phase. Nevertheless, a great deal of uncertainty remains and deep sea mining once again finds itself at a crossroads: on the one hand there are contractors who are prepared to invoke a treaty provision to avoid any further delay, while environmental NGOs on the other hand are advocating a moratorium. Against the background of a global pandemic, this article offers a substantiated assessment of these conflicting developments and an analysis of their compatibility with the international legal framework.