Greenpeace International has delivered a fresh set of allegations to the International Seabed Authority (ISA), urging member states at the ISA’s 31st session to act if breaches by subsidiaries and subcontractors of The Metals Company (TMC) are confirmed. The environmental group says it has compiled and submitted evidence to ISA Secretary‑General Leticia Carvalho showing potential violations of exploration contract obligations by TMC-linked companies — evidence it says could justify disciplinary measures, including non‑renewal of exploration licences.
The material, Greenpeace says, focuses on TMC’s subsidiaries Nauru Ocean Resources Inc (NORI) and Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd (TOML), and on Blue Minerals Jamaica (BMJ), a company linked to offshore engineering firm Allseas, which Greenpeace describes as both a subcontractor and a major shareholder in TMC. According to Greenpeace campaigner Louisa Casson, the evidence shows NORI and TOML amended agreements to provide payments to Nauru and Tonga respectively if U.S.‑authorised commercial mining goes ahead — a structure Greenpeace argues effectively ties those exploration contractors to unilateral U.S. mining plans and risks contravening obligations under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Greenpeace also alleges NORI and TOML have signed intercompany intellectual property and data‑sharing agreements with TMC USA, and that data gathered under ISA exploration contracts has been used to underpin TMC USA’s application under U.S. national regulations. The organisation warns the arrangements amount to an integrated corporate strategy run by a small group of decision‑makers across legally distinct entities, undermining claims that the subsidiaries operate independently of TMC’s commercial aims.
The submission follows an ISA Council inquiry launched in July 2025 after TMC USA sought unilateral deep‑sea mining licences from the U.S. administration. Greenpeace warns that if the United States were to authorise mining of the international seabed outside ISA processes, that would constitute a breach of international law. The inquiry remains active, and Greenpeace is pressing ISA member states to convert the council’s July assurances of consequences into concrete action at the current session.
The timing of Greenpeace’s intervention comes as Secretary‑General Carvalho publicly advocates finalising a streamlined deep sea mining “Mining Code” within the year, while expressing concern about calls from some 40 governments for a moratorium. Carvalho has argued a code is needed to bring regulatory clarity; Greenpeace counters that formalising rules now would risk legitimising a fledgling industry and “falling into the trap of international bullies” seeking to weaken multilateral controls.
Casson said governments must not be intimidated into rushing through a Mining Code that she says would serve corporate interests over ocean protection. “Rushing to finalise a Mining Code serves the interests of multinational corporations, not the principles of multilateralism,” she said, adding that rules to permit deep‑sea mining cannot coexist with effective ocean protection given the mounting scientific and social concerns.
NORI’s and TOML’s ISA exploration contracts are due to expire in July 2026 and January 2027 respectively. Greenpeace told the ISA its findings should inform whether those contracts are renewed. The ISA session this week will test whether member states prioritise rapid codification of mining rules or use the inquiry’s findings to tighten oversight and preserve the authority of the UNCLOS‑based seabed regime.
Leave a comment