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As global demand for critical minerals intensifies — driven by the energy transition, technological innovation, and geopolitical competition — deep-sea mining has emerged as a potential frontier in resource development.

Two parallel regulatory regimes for deep-sea mining have begun to emerge in recent years. On the one hand, the International Seabed Authority (ISA), an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), is in charge of regulating the deep seabed beyond national jurisdiction (the area).

The global energy sector continues to be shaped by geopolitical shifts, regulatory changes, and the ongoing energy transition. As industries and governments navigate decarbonisation, energy security, and evolving investment landscapes, disputes are becoming more frequent and complex.

In this article published by Mining Magazine, Louise Woods and Elena Guillet explore the challenges of securing critical minerals for the energy transition, with a focus on deep-sea mining.

In the inaugural episode of Mining Matters, a series focused on developments in the mining sector, Vinson & Elkins hosts Ciara Ros and Nonku Zondo interview Victoria Usova, General Counsel at Central Asia Metals PLC, and Kezia Owusu-Ansah, Senior Associate at TEMPLARS Ghana.

With the entering into force of the European Union’s (“EU”) Critical Raw Materials Act (“CRMA”), the memorandum of understanding between the EU and Serbia and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (“EBRD”) and EU’s joint equity investment facility for the exploration of critical and strategic raw materials, the race to securing supply chains, and with them energy security and the energy transition, continues with renewed impetus.

We have been following the International Seabed Authority (“ISA”) Council’s negotiations and drafting of the Exploitation Rules, Regulations and Procedures (“Exploitation RRPs”) for the deep seabed beyond national jurisdiction (the “Area”).

On 19 July 2024, the European Union (EU) and the Republic of Serbia (“Serbia”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) creating a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials, battery value chains and electric vehicles.

In part three of a series for Mining Technology about international deep-sea mining regulation, Louise Woods and Elena Guillet explore how international investment law could be applied to dispute resolution.

On the occasion of London International Disputes Week 2024, Vinson & Elkins hosted “Supply and Demand: Rallying Together to address the Key Challenges in the Race for Critical Minerals”, focusing on the...

In part one of an explainer series about international deep-sea mining regulation, Louise Woods and Elena Guillet share advice for setting up sponsorship agreements between contractors and sponsoring states.

In part two of our series about international deep-sea mining regulation, Louise Woods and Elena Guillet explain what miners need to know about dispute resolution under the different regimes involved in exploration agreements.