Minerals available in Antarctica
Key:
Ag - Silver
Au - Gold
Co - Cobalt
Cu - copper
Cr - Chromium
Fe - Iron
Mb - Molybdenum
Mn - Manganese
Ni - Nickel
Pb - Lead
Ti - Titanium
U - Uranium
Zn - Zinc
Ag - Silver
Au - Gold
Co - Cobalt
Cu - copper
Cr - Chromium
Fe - Iron
Mb - Molybdenum
Mn - Manganese
Ni - Nickel
Pb - Lead
Ti - Titanium
U - Uranium
Zn - Zinc
Who owns these minerals?
Territorial Claims
No country or nation is a recognized ‘owner’ of Antarctica but several nations do claim bits of the continent. In the early decades of the 20th century seven nations, Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, and Norway announced territorial claims to parts of Antarctica. In 1961 the Antarctic Treaty was signed by these nations and others. There has never been any commercial mining in Antarctica and there are no current plans to mine Antarctica. Mining is illegal until 2041 and was banned by the Antarctic treaty in 1991.
What would be the impact of mining?
· Scientists already know that there is a big hole in the ozone layer that appears ever spring; by mining Antarctica we are only making the hole bigger.
· It will also destroy animal’s habitats such as penguins and seals breeding will be hard for them. · Mineral extraction would severely impact Antarctic wildlife, with the increase in noise from seismic blasting and the rise in air, sea, and ground traffic. · Mining will poison waters and will destroy half of the land, which will kill seals, whales, penguin, fish and others. · Transport to and from Antarctica would be very expensive. · Hard rock mining in the Antarctic would likely involve the use of heavy metals – contamination from which has been historically difficult to control. · Mining would stir up dust, which might affect the polar temperature gradient, and pollution. · Drilling would allow a great amount of heat to be lost from the ocean, threatening to add to global climate change. |
What is the Antarctic Treaty?
Antarctic Treaty Flags
The Antarctic Treaty is an agreement between countries to keep Antarctica as a place just to do scientific research. They all agree that there shall be no type of drilling or any military activity on the continent. The main treaty was opened for signature on December 1, 1959, and officially entered into force on June 23, 1961.
What groups are working to protect Antarctica?
ASOC logo
Antarctica and the surrounding waters contain some of the most remote ecosystems in our world. There are two main non-government organisations (known as NGOs) that are working to protect the environment in the Antarctic region.
One of them is Greenpeace. Greenpeace, an independent organisation, is particularly concerned with protecting whales in the Southern Ocean. The other one is the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC). ASOC was formed in 1978 to protect the continent of Antarctica, the Southern Ocean and the surrounding islands. ASOC is particularly concerned with the increasing number of tourists visiting Antarctica.
One of them is Greenpeace. Greenpeace, an independent organisation, is particularly concerned with protecting whales in the Southern Ocean. The other one is the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC). ASOC was formed in 1978 to protect the continent of Antarctica, the Southern Ocean and the surrounding islands. ASOC is particularly concerned with the increasing number of tourists visiting Antarctica.
Recommendations
With the Antarctic Treaty, I believe Antarctica is fine the way it is now, but when the ban on the mining is taken off, I wouldn't be so sure. As the global resources are becoming scarce, by 2041 nations are most likely going to make a move on the minerals available in Antarctica. Year 2041 is exactly 29 years away. In this time if we don't do anything about the resources that are being used up and decreasing in amount right now, it's not only the Antarctica life that will be destroyed; it will be the whole of our planet. I believe if countries changed from using the cheap fossil fuels and switched to more renewable resources, Earth will be much more of a healthier planet.
References
http://www.discoveringantarctica.org.uk/alevel_5_2.html
http://hotgates.stanford.edu:3455/southpole/840
http://hotgates.stanford.edu:3455/southpole/839
http://hotgates.stanford.edu:3455/southpole/840
http://hotgates.stanford.edu:3455/southpole/839
Created by Molly Li