Norway Suspends Controversial Deep-Sea Mining Plan
December 02, 2025 | Source: BBC News | by Maia Davies
Norway has paused its controversial project to open up its seabed for commercial-scale deep-sea mining.
Oslo had planned to let companies apply to mine 280,000 sq km (108,000 sq miles) of its waters for precious metals – an area bigger than the size of the UK.
The move was blocked after the country’s Socialist Left Party said it would not support the government’s budget unless it scrapped the first licensing round, set for 2025.
Environmental scientists had warned the move could be catastrophic for marine life, while the plans were opposed by 32 countries including France, Canada, Brazil and Germany.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoer called Sunday’s development a “postponement” and said preparatory work on regulations and environmental impact would continue.
Greenpeace Norway’s Haldis Tjeldflaat Helle said the pause was “a huge win”.
“It has been truly embarrassing to watch Norway positioning itself as an ocean leader, while planning to give green light to ocean destruction in its own waters.”
The country’s energy ministry has not yet commented.