The EU has carried out a study of the state of knowledge for the exploitation of seabed minerals, and the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate points to a significant resource potential for seabed minerals on the Norwegian continental shelf. Preliminary estimates for copper say that we can cover the entire consumption of copper in the EU for 10 years. There is still uncertainty in these estimates, and considerable exploration activity and new technology must be in place before these estimates can be verified. There is also a lack of knowledge about the environmental impact on the seabed in and around the deposits.
Knowledge of the extent of Norway's mineral resources on the continental shelf, and whether mineral extraction and operation of these resources can be economically profitable, is at a very early stage. The knowledge base on the environmental impact that the extraction of seabed minerals will have on the ocean and marine food chains must also be strengthened. SINTEF is working in an interdisciplinary manner on such issues, including through the Deep Sea Mining Gemini Center.
