Legal Framework
International Legislation
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is mandated under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to organize, regulate and control all mineral-related activities in the international seabed area for the benefit of mankind as a whole. ISA is as of May 2023 made up of 168 member states and the European Union.
ISA has the duty to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects that may arise from deep-seabed related activities.
So far 31 exploration licenses are granted to 22 different contractors. Each contractor is backed by a sponsoring state.
See the map over exploration areas for minerals managed by ISA.
The legal framework for exploitation is ongoing and planned finalised and adopted by 2025. See the latest draft of The Mining Code for exploitation regulations.
Norwegian Legislation
The Ministry of Energy assumed responsibility for mineral deposits on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) in 2017. The “Seabed Minerals Act” was passed in 2019.
The Solberg government initiated an opening process for mineral activities on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) in 2020.
The impact assessment was published in October 2022. (in Norwegian only)
Impact assessment reports on different subtopics can be found her.
The parliament notice - Meld.St.25 (2022-2023) was issued June 2023. (in Norwegian only)
The Norwegian parliament voted to open for seabed minerals activities in January 2024.
The government highlight that the opening initially means that industrial players can be awarded licenses to map and explore for minerals in a limited area, not to extract. Any plans for extraction must be approved by both the ministry and the Norwegian parliament. Plans will only be approved if extraction can be done in a sustainable and responsible manner.
It should be noted that the Norwegian government will not open for mining of active hydrothermal vents.
The first licencing round is planned in 2024, with announcement of licenses in 2025.
More information and reports related to the opening process for seabed mineral activities on the Norwegian continental shelf can be found at the Norwegian Offshore Directorate webpage.