MEPs Bruno Goncalves (S&D) and Hildegard Bentele (PPE) have tabled a parliamentary question urging the European Commission to clarify its stance on environmentally sustainable deep sea mining, framing it as a tool to bolster EU strategic autonomy and competitiveness. The question, submitted on 22 April 2026, targets the Commission's plans for funding, international negotiations, and alignment with the Critical Raw Materials Act.
The MEPs cite Mario Draghi's report on European competitiveness, which highlighted the potential of deep sea mining for critical minerals like copper, cobalt, and rare earths. They ask whether the next multiannual financial framework will support related R&D, including seabed mapping. They also seek the EU's position in International Seabed Authority talks on a mining code, warning that inaction could spur unilateral moves by non-EU countries such as the US. Finally, they ask if the Commission has assessed how seabed minerals could support the Critical Raw Materials Act's objectives.
The question reflects a push to shift from the EU's current precautionary approach toward active exploration, balancing environmental sustainability with economic resilience. The Commission must reply within six weeks; its answer will signal policy direction on this emerging sector. Stakeholders impacted include EU mining technology firms, environmental NGOs, member states with seabed resources, and industries reliant on critical raw materials.
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