New ISA Leadership May Delay Deep-Sea Mining Operations

Leticia Carvalho has been elected as the new Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). With her background as an environmental regulator in Brazil, Carvalho is anticipated to slow the momentum toward exploiting deep-sea ecosystems for retrieving metals used in EVs and  batteries.

Carvalho will assume office on Jan. 1 as the first woman and scientist to lead the UN-affiliated ISA, which oversees 54% of the world’s seabed. Her election concludes Michael Lodge’s two-term tenure, during which he was criticized for promoting questionable regulations that could enable deep-sea mining. Carvalho has committed to maintaining scientific integrity and neutrality. “Transparency and accountability are my top priorities,” she says.

ISA has already issued 32 contracts for the exploration of cobalt, nickel, and other metals across more than 1.3 million km2 of international seabed. The organization had aimed to finalize regulations by July 2025. However, Carvalho indicated that additional time might be needed to ensure the protection of deep-sea ecosystems. “There is a significant amount of work to be done. It is unlikely we will meet the current deadline,” she said.

The call for a moratorium on seabed mining has been endorsed by 32 ISA member states. The urgency is underscored by The Metals Company’s plan to apply for a mining license this year, with intentions to begin operations in early 2026. “This represents economic imperialism under a new guise, where multinational companies prioritize profit over the welfare of people and ecosystems,” stated Surangel Whipps, President, Palau.

In contrast, China, Japan, and several African nations have urged ISA to establish regulations to enable deep-sea mining. “Deep-sea minerals hold significant potential for our prosperity,” said Sonny Williams, Delegate, Cook Islands.