Norway’s government has reached an agreement with the Socialist Left Party, halting plans for deep-sea mining exploration in the Arctic in exchange for the party’s support for the government’s budget.
This decision is seen as a significant victory for environmentalists, activists, and scientists who opposed the first round of licenses for mining, scheduled for next year.
While the government described the move as a “pause” rather than a cancellation, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized that environmental assessments and regulations will continue.
Critics argue that more thorough environmental reviews are needed due to concerns over the impact of mining on sea life and the Arctic ecosystem.
