BMW, Volvo and Google will not buy any metals produced from deep sea mining before the environmental risks are “comprehensively understood”, in a setback to companies that plan to mine the deep ocean this decade.
The companies, along with Korean battery maker Samsung SDI, said they would exclude any deep sea minerals from their supply chains and also not finance any deep sea mining companies.
“Before any potential deep seabed mining occurs, it needs to be clearly demonstrated that such activities can be managed in a way that ensures the effective protection of the marine environment,” the companies said in a letter distributed by WWF, the conservation group.