Is mining banned in Antarctica?

Is mining banned in Antarctica?

Mining in Antarctica is banned indefinitely by the Protocol on Environmental Protection (the Madrid Protocol). This important agreement came into force in January 1998. Miners would have had to get through the thick ice sheet to reach the minerals. …

Why should we exploit Antarctica?

Antarctica is huge and almost completely unpopulated – only the coastal fringes have any animals or plants. Well-regulated economic exploitation of its resources need not ruin it and could provide valuable raw materials and a boost to the world economy.

What are the problems facing Antarctica?

The main threats facing Antarctica:

• Climate change / Global warming, resulting in a warming of the sea and loss of sea ice and land-based ice, this is greatest long-term threat to the region.
• Fishing, both legal and illegal.
• Invasive species.

Are there any problems with mining in Antarctica?

There are other issues with mining for minerals in Antarctica and that is that because it is frozen and has been for millions of years with little or no liquid water flowing, the processes that happen in other parts of the world as a consequence of weathering that concentrate minerals just don’t happen in Antarctica.

When was the ban on mining in Antarctica?

Mining in Antarctica is banned indefinitely by the Protocol on Environmental Protection (the Madrid Protocol). This important agreement came into force in January 1998. Before then, the economic challenge of mining in Antarctica prevented any commercial operations. There are deposits of minerals in Antarctica, including coal and iron ore.

Are there any mines in the Antarctic Circle?

Without this ban on mining, most mining experts agree that Antarctica is a very inhospitable and expensive place to conduct any mining-related activities. Companies such as ArcelorMittal plan to construct a mine in the Arctic Circle in 2013. The success of this company in that region would allow for more deliberations about the Antarctic Circle.

Are there any deposits of minerals in Antarctica?

In the last 50 years of scientific research, no large deposits of mineralized rocks have been found. Mining in Antarctica would be very difficult, dangerous and expensive as the climate is so harsh, the ice is very thick and Antarctica is very remote from major centres of population.