Will the International Seabed Authority (ISA) enact a global moratorium or full ban on deep sea mining before the end of 2027?

Deep Sea Mining: Ban by 2027?

Negotiations at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) regarding deep sea mining regulations are deeply divided. This prediction asks if the ISA will implement a global moratorium or outright ban before the end of 2027, halting commercial exploitation in international waters.

Environmental vs. Mineral Security

The vote is evenly split. On one side, a growing coalition of nations (led by Chile, France) and major environmental groups demand a ban based on irreversible ecosystem damage. On the other side, nations pushing for mineral security (including China and several sponsoring states) continue to argue for the swift completion of the mining code. Without a consensus at the Assembly, the deadlock continues, but public pressure makes a moratorium a plausible, albeit difficult, outcome.