The Pacific must not be allowed to become a testing ground for deep sea mining and regional governments must stop issuing licences immediately.
Pacific Conference of Churches Treaties Adviser Murray Isimeli says the region cannot afford damage to the environment by testing.
“There is no evidence on what effect testing or mining will have so we would caution against doing anything until there is substantial proof of the effects of disturbing the sea bed,” Mr Isimeli said.
His comments came after a regional summit on deep sea mining organised by SOPAC (South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission) in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
He also warned governments and their representatives about liberally using the Bible to support mining after speakers at the Vanuatu summit spoke of underwater minerals as divine blessings.
Source
- Island Business
- Image: AKRockefeller
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