Archive · 3 Aug 2026
Deep‑sea mining threatens snail species at hydrothermal vents
Scientists say that mining deep in the ocean could kill many kinds of snails that live near special vents where hot water comes out of the sea floor.
These vents have minerals like copper and gold that companies want to use for electronics.
The snails and other animals that live there are very special and could disappear if the vents are dug up.
A big organization that watches the ocean says we should pause mining until we know the risks.
A meeting in Jamaica is trying to decide how to protect the ocean while still allowing mining.
More than half of vent‑associated mollusc species are at risk of extinction from deep‑sea mining.
Hydrothermal vents host valuable minerals such as copper, zinc, gold, and silver that drive mining interest.
Mining could destroy vent habitats and smother molluscs with sediment, threatening species like the scaly‑foot snail.
The IUCN Red List update calls for a moratorium on deep‑sea mining until risks are understood.
The International Seabed Authority is meeting in Jamaica to negotiate regulations amid U.S. push for mining in international waters.
- Who
- Scientists and conservationists, including Chong Chen and Julia Sigwart
- What
- Deep‑sea mining threatens more than half of hydrothermal‑vent mollusc species
- When
- Current and ongoing mining plans, with a meeting scheduled this month
- Where
- Hydrothermal vents worldwide, meeting in Jamaica
- Why
- Mining seeks valuable minerals, but risks destroying unique vent ecosystems
- Species at risk
- 62%
- Mollusc species assessed
- 125 of 201
- Minerals of interest
- copper, zinc, gold, silver
- International body meeting
- International Seabed Authority
- Meeting location
- Jamaica
- IUCN recommendation
- Moratorium on deep‑sea mining