The Looming Threat of Bulk Marine Sediment Mining

This fact sheet by the Centre for Environmental Rights warns against the development of a bulk marine sediment mining industry in South Africa, specifically targeting marine phosphates. It argues that the technology used is destructive, the environmental impacts are irreversible, and the justification based on food security is without merit.

• The South African government has shown intentions to develop a bulk seabed mining industry through the announcement of a 'Seabed Mining Roadmap' by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR). Between 2012 and 2014, the DMR granted three prospecting rights for marine phosphate covering approximately 150,000 km2, which represents about 10% of South Africa's exclusive economic zone.
• Bulk marine sediment mining typically employs Trailing Suction Hopper-Dredge (TSHD) technology, which can remove more than 100,000 m2 of sediment per day. This process involves dragging a dredge-head approximately 11m wide to cut trenches up to 3 meters deep, creating a 'giant plume of sediment' that can bury and smother seabed ecosystems.
• The environmental impacts of bulk marine sediment mining are described as severe and irreversible, with no feasible mitigation methods. Specific risks include the direct destruction of seabed organisms, harm to fish breeding and feeding areas, increased turbidity, reduced light penetration for photosynthesis, and the release of hazardous substances such as radioactive materials, methane, and hydrogen sulphide.
• The argument that marine phosphate mining is necessary for food security due to dwindling terrestrial supplies is contested. The document states that South Africa does not have a phosphate shortage and suggests alternatives such as phosphate recovery from sewage treatment facilities and recycling through composting or organic manure.
• The Safeguard our Seabed Coalition, which includes environmental and fishing interest groups, is seeking a moratorium on bulk marine sediment mining. They argue that such a moratorium should remain until several conditions are met, including the conduct of a strategic environmental assessment, the establishment of a network of no-go-areas, and the assignment of liability for environmental damage to operators.
• There are two legal mechanisms in South Africa to establish a moratorium: Section 49 of the MPRDA, which allows the Minister of Mineral Resources to prohibit mining activities based on national interest, and Section 24(2A) of NEMA, which allows the Minister of Environmental Affairs to restrict environmental authorisations for specific activities in specified areas.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (n.d.). The Looming Threat of Bulk Marine Sediment Mining. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/CER_Factsheet1_web.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. The Looming Threat of Bulk Marine Sediment Mining. n.d. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/CER_Factsheet1_web.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=The Looming Threat of Bulk Marine Sediment Mining |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/CER_Factsheet1_web.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrightsndlooming, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{The Looming Threat of Bulk Marine Sediment Mining}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/CER_Factsheet1_web.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }