Deep Ocean Mining

South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources has granted three prospecting rights to private companies for seabed mining in the country’s exclusive economic zone. Together, these prospecting areas total approximately 10% of our exclusive economic zone (approximately 150 000 square kilometres). Deep sea mining is a relatively new mineral retrieval process that takes place on the ocean floor. Today on the show we will look this new development in South Africa and look at the environmental and economic implications of sea bed mining. We are joined by: • Saul Roux, Legal Campaigner in the Mining Programme: Centre for Environmental • Dr Johann Augustyn, Secretary: South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association