These 6 African Countries Are Pushing Back on Deep Sea Mining

Six African countries are backing calls for a precautionary pause or moratorium on deep-sea mining, adding weight to efforts to slow the development of an industry that could provide new supplies of critical minerals but carries environmental risks.

Mauritius, Mozambique and the Republic of Congo joined Malawi, Kenya and Madagascar in supporting a precautionary pause during the International Seabed Authority’s July meeting in Kingston, Jamaica.

The six countries are part of a growing group of states seeking greater safeguards before commercial mining begins in international waters. About 40 countries have formally called for a moratorium or precautionary pause, according to the ISA.

The push comes as major economies including the United States, China and India seek access to seabed minerals such as nickel, cobalt, manganese and copper, which are used in electric vehicles, renewable energy and other technologies.

Deep-sea mining has not yet begun commercially in areas governed by the ISA. The authority has issued 22 exploration contracts covering polymetallic nodules, polymetallic sulphides and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts.

Supporters of a pause say scientists do not yet have enough information about the long-term effects of mining ecosystems located thousands of metres below the ocean surface. Mining can disturb the seabed and create sediment plumes that could affect marine ecosystems.

Mauritius said its sustainable development depends on a healthy and resilient ocean and that decisions on seabed mining should be based on the best available scientific evidence and the precautionary principle.

Malawi became the first African country to support a precautionary pause in May, followed by Kenya and Madagascar in June and Mauritius, Mozambique and the Republic of Congo in July.

The growing African bloc gives the continent greater influence in ISA negotiations, where African states hold 10 of the 36 seats on the Council.

But Africa’s position remains divided.

South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo have not joined the group calling for a precautionary pause. Their positions reflect the broader economic stakes for countries that rely heavily on mining for exports, investment and government revenue.

The DRC, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe are major producers of minerals on land, while much of Africa’s mineral potential remains unexplored.

For these countries, seabed mining could create additional competition for minerals such as cobalt, nickel, manganese and copper. But access to new sources could also help diversify global supply chains as demand for critical minerals grows.

South Africa and Nigeria have participated in discussions and capacity-building programmes on deep-seabed resources, suggesting they are continuing to assess the potential economic opportunities.

The debate is also dividing major economies outside Africa.

France, Germany, Britain and Canada have backed a moratorium, precautionary pause or tighter restrictions on deep-sea mining, while the United States has sought to accelerate development of seabed resources, including exploration around American Samoa.

China is expanding seabed exploration and recently completed a Pacific expedition that collected mineral-rich nodules and tested deep-ocean technologies. India is also seeking additional exploration licences as it seeks to secure critical minerals for its energy transition and reduce dependence on imports.

For African governments, the debate extends beyond environmental protection to questions about resource security, mineral markets and the future competitiveness of the continent’s land-based mining industry.

The growing support for a precautionary pause signals that some African countries want stronger scientific and environmental safeguards before the industry moves toward commercial production, while others continue to weigh the potential economic benefits.