A Leadership Battle Is Brewing at Deep Sea Mining’s Regulatory Body
The secretary-general of the international organization that regulates deep sea mining is running for a third term in a contest with a marine scientist.
Greenpeace activists confront workers on a boat conducting deep sea mining research in 2023.
Photographer: Martin Katz/GreenpeaceThe secretary-general of the International Seabed Authority is set to run for a third term leading the United Nations-affiliated organization that regulates deep sea mining, as control of mineral resources used to make electric car batteries becomes a focus of US-China rivalry.
The ISA’s 168 member nations and the European Union will elect the next secretary-general at what is expected to be a pivotal meeting in July. Secretary-General Michael Lodge, a UK lawyer, will be opposed by Brazilian marine scientist Leticia Carvalho in an election that will shape the future of deep sea mining. It comes as the ISA faces pressure to finish writing regulations that could allow mining to begin within the next two years.