"The Saami Council’s statement on Deep Sea Mining," 26 June 2024

The Saami Council firmly opposes the Norwegian government's decision to open up for deep sea mining within its territorial waters. This decision, which allows for the exploration of minerals on the deep ocean floor, poses significant threats to marine ecosystems and the Indigenous Peoples’ communities who depend on them...

For the Sámi and other Indigenous Peoples, the ocean is not just a resource but a foundation of life, culture, and sustenance. The potential environmental degradation caused by deep sea mining could severely impact our food security, disrupt our traditional practices, and undermine our cultural heritage.

The Saami Council, recognizing the shared responsibility we all bear for protecting marine ecosystems and Indigenous Peoples’ communities, calls for urgent precautionary measures to prevent the irreversible damage that deep sea mining could cause. We emphasize the need to respect Indigenous Peoples' rights and recognize the importance of ecosystem-based management of marine resources...

We draw attention to the recent actions of the European Union, which has called for a global moratorium on deep sea mining. On February 7, 2024, the European Parliament adopted Resolution B9-0095/2024, highlighting the significant environmental risks and urging all nations to apply the precautionary approach...

The Saami Council urgently urges the Norwegian government and international bodies to halt all deep sea mining activities and to engage in meaningful dialogue with Indigenous Peoples to develop sustainable and equitable alternatives...