The Looming Threat of Bulk Marine Sediment Mining

The document outlines the threats posed by bulk marine sediment mining, specifically the use of Trailing Suction Hopper-Dredge (TSHD) technology, and calls for a moratorium in South Africa to protect marine ecosystems and fisheries.

• The South African government has shown intent to develop a bulk seabed mining industry, with the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) granting three prospecting rights for marine phosphate in 2012 and 2014. These areas cover approximately 150,000 km2, which represents 10% of South Africa's exclusive economic zone.
• Bulk marine sediment mining likely employs Trailing Suction Hopper-Dredge (TSHD) technology, which removes sediment layers up to 3 meters deep using a 11m wide dredge-head. This process creates a large sediment plume that can bury and smother seabed ecosystems, with the capacity to dredge over 100,000 m2 of sediment daily.
• The environmental impacts of this mining are described as severe and irreversible, including the direct destruction of seabed organisms, harm to fish breeding and spawning areas, increased turbidity, and the release of heavy metals and hazardous substances like methane and hydrogen sulphide.
• The document disputes the claim that marine phosphate mining is necessary for food security, stating that South Africa does not have a phosphate shortage and that excessive inorganic fertiliser use is already criticised for harming soil health.
• The Safeguard our Seabed Coalition, including the Centre for Environmental Rights and WWF-SA, is seeking a moratorium on bulk marine sediment mining. They argue that such a moratorium should remain until conditions are met, including the completion of a strategic environmental assessment and the establishment of a representative network of marine protected areas (MPAs).
• There are two legal paths to establish a moratorium in South Africa: through the Minister of Mineral Resources via Section 49 of the MPRDA, or through the Minister of Environmental Affairs via Section 24(2A) of NEMA.

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} }