Oslo, Norway | AFP
Norway, the first European country to open parts of its waters to deep-sea mining, will not issue the first licenses for another four years, according to a political deal reached on Wednesday.
The Labour government pushed back the date in order to get the support of smaller parties in parliament to pass the state budget.
The government agreed “not to launch the first tenders for deep-sea mining during the current legislative term,” which ends in 2029, according to a deal that received the support of two key parties early on Wednesday.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which is opposed to deep-sea mining hailed the move as “a massive win for nature.”
“This decision represents a significant shift in Norway’s position and is a historic victory for nature, science, and public pressure,” it said in a statement.
Deep-sea mining is an emerging industry that aims to plumb previously untouched seabeds for commodities including nickel, cobalt and copper, which are used in everything from rechargeable batteries to military technology.
Activist groups like WWF and Greenpeace oppose the practice saying it poses a threat to the environment.
Norway’s parliament gave the green light for the start of deep-sea mining activities in its territorial waters in 2024.
The government planned to start issuing license in 2025, but small parties in parliament that are key to its coalition opposed the moves.
To pass the 2026 budget, which parliament is due to vote on this Friday, the Labour government once again bowed to demands of its allies in parliament to suspend deep-sea mining activities.
Early on Wednesday, the two remaining holdout parties said they would support the budget project, which includes the deep-sea mining provision.
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