Six African countries now support precautionary pause on deep-seabed mining

Six African nations have joined a growing list of countries advocating for a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining until its environmental, social, and economic consequences are more thoroughly understood. This brings the total number of countries backing the moratorium to six. Mauritius, Mozambique, and the Republic of the Congo voiced their support during the International Seabed Authority's annual meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, in July, alongside Malawi, Kenya, and Madagascar.

Mauritius emphasized that the well-being of its ocean, crucial for the country's sustainable development, should guide decisions on deep-seabed mining. The nation underscored the necessity of basing these decisions on the best available scientific evidence and the precautionary principle, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Malawi became the first African country to endorse the precautionary pause in May 2026, followed by Kenya and Madagascar in June. David Willima, representing the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, a coalition of over 140 NGOs and organizations, noted that the underlying rationale behind these African nations' stance, while considering their unique circumstances, stems from insufficient scientific data and ongoing governance challenges.

Deep-sea mining targets small, hard rocks known as polymetallic nodules, which are rich in minerals such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese. Many countries and companies are eager to mine these resources. This report was originally published on Mongabay.