Plans to mine seabed raises concerns about threat to marine life

A controversial trial of deep-sea mining in the Pacific has been approved, despite concerns that it could lead to irreversible environmental damage. PHOTO: THE METALS COMPANY/FACEBOOK
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SYDNEY - A controversial trial of deep-sea mining is underway in the Pacific Ocean despite concerns that large-scale extraction of resources from the ocean floor could lead to irreversible environmental damage.

The trial, being conducted in an area spanning 4.5 million sq km between Hawaii and Mexico, will involve the collection of an estimated 3,600 tonnes of fist-sized rocks from the ocean floor.

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