News
Deep-sea mining licences
UK government secretly approves transfer of exploration licences to a corporation while publicly backing a pause on deep-sea mining.
21 December 2025
Main image: Greenpeace projects ‘Stop Deep Sea Mining’ on the White Cliffs of Dover, calling for a halt to deep-sea mining. © Dan Hatch / Greenpeace
Greenpeace has launched a legal challenge against the UK government’s decision to approve the transfer of two exploration licences in the Pacific Ocean to a ‘shady deep sea mining company’ called Glomar Minerals.
The environmental group is concerned that the licences in the wrong hands could open the door to destructive deep-sea mining that could harm marine wildlife. It also said their transfer was inconsistent with the government’s calls for a moratorium on this harmful industry.
The Pre-Action Protocol letter sent by Greenpeace is the first step in a judicial review process. It states that the Business Secretary’s decision to transfer the licences could be in breach of international and domestic law.
The licences concern two areas of the Clarion Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean covering 133,000km2 – an area larger than England. The zone is covered in polymetallic nodules containing metals that a handful of companies are desperate to mine in the future.
But it is also home to precious marine life including whales, dolphins and extraordinary deep-sea creatures. A recent study by the Natural History Museum shows that even exploratory mining activity can reduce seafloor animal populations by almost 40%.
‘It is often said that we know more about space than the deep ocean, but we know even less about Glomar Minerals. This shady company has just acquired two deep-sea exploration licences and we’re deeply concerned that the UK government may be breaking the law as well as shoring up a dangerous industry.’
ERICA FINNIE
Oceans campaigner at Greenpeace UK
Since 2013, the exploration licences have been held by UK Seabed Resources Ltd (UKSRL), a British ‘shell’ company, that has been traded between a succession of foreign firms including the US defence giant Lockheed Martin.
More recently, the licences were held by a small Norwegian company called Loke Marine Minerals AS, which went bust in April 2025.
Late last year, UKSRL was acquired from Loke’s bankruptcy estate by Glomar Minerals, a newly formed UK company comprising much of the same management team as Loke.
A press release on Glomar’s website revealed the Business Secretary signed a deed of novation which facilitated the transfer of the exploration licences to Glomar.
‘The UK government’s sponsorship of a mining company to manage these licences is completely at odds with its public position on deep-sea mining. It’s high time they nailed their colours to the mast. The licences should be held by independent scientific bodies with a genuine interest in doing research, as they are in other countries, instead of companies seeking to profit from mining the seabed.’
ERICA FINNIE
Oceans campaigner at Greenpeace UK
Greenpeace is challenging the legality of the decision on four grounds: that the business secretary did not have the legal power to enter into guarantees with UKSRL’s parent company; that the UK government failed to consider revoking the licences on the grounds that UKSRL can no longer be said to be a UK company; that the UK government failed to consider revoking the licences on the grounds that UKSRL is effectively controlled by other countries or foreign nationals and that the business secretary failed to openly publicise or give reasons for his decision.
The business secretary now has two weeks to respond, before Greenpeace files its claim in the courts.
Glomar Minerals is registered in the UK but is mostly owned and managed by companies and individuals based overseas.
Raphael Isaac Meir Diamond is listed as its main controller. Mr Diamond is based in the US and is the founder and executive chairman of SAFE, a US lobby group which issued a statement of support for President Trump’s executive order on deep sea mining, which is widely regarded to be a breach of international law.
The UK government’s continued sponsorship of exploration licences flies in the face of its official public position in support of a moratorium ‘until sufficient scientific evidence is available to assess the impact on marine ecosystems, and strong, enforceable environmental regulations, standards and guidelines are adopted by the ISA [International Seabed Authority].’
More than 900 scientists and policy experts, 40 governments from Europe to the Pacific and businesses including Google, BMW, Volvo and Renault are all calling for a pause on deep-sea mining.
Major UK banks have ruled out financing the industry and other international investors are also pulling out.
Indigenous Peoples in the Pacific have also raised strong objections, warning that deep-sea mining threatens ocean ecosystems on which their lives and livelihoods depend.
UK government secretly approves transfer of exploration licences to a corporation while publicly backing a pause on deep-sea mining.
Norwegian owner of UK deep sea mining company goes bankrupt.
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Five nations add to growing concerns about deep sea mining at key international meeting.
