29-Jul-2019: Deep sea mining pushes 'Scaly-Foot' snail towards extinction

The newly endangered 'scaly-foot' snail is found in just three locations around the world, all of which are deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Due to the extremely low levels of oxygen found at these vents, the scaly-foot snail has a massive heart for enhanced blood flow and oxygen exchange. In fact, the scaly-foot’s heart is the largest, proportional to body size, of the entire animal kingdom.

The snail is also armored with an iron-clad shell literally. Scientists believe the snail cooperates with microbes to convert the toxic iron sulfide released from the vents into material for shell construction.

Unfortunately, this iron-plated, big-hearted creature recently became the first deep-sea animal to be listed as 'endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a result of mining activity.

Deep-sea mining is the process by which companies collect minerals, such as copper, nickel, and aluminum, from over 200 meters (656 ft) deep by essentially vacuuming the minerals off the sea floor. With deep-sea mineral collection expected to be quite destructive for sea-floor habitats, studies are currently underway to monitor the associated environmental impacts.

The findings will be used to inform the development of the international 'Mining Code', which will establish rules, regulations, and procedures for the deep-sea extraction of minerals. The Code is being developed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) - a 168-member body formed by the United Nations in 1982 - which has until 2020 to finalize the regulations.

Interest in deep-sea mining comes as demand for rare elements is climbing. Global depletion of land-based mineral reserves coupled with rising demand for metals to support modern technology, including the production of cell phones, solar panels, and batteries, together make deep-sea mining a lucrative endeavor.

The ISA has already entered into 15-year contracts with twenty-nine contractors for the exploration of deep-sea minerals, some of which will expire in 2021. Once the Mining Code is finalized, the ISA plans to issue 30-year exploitation licenses according to the most recent draft of their regulations from November 2018. This is notably an increase from the 20-year license limit described in the ISA's July 2016 draft.