Samsung SDI "No Deep-Sea Mineral Mining"... Accelerating ESG Management

Participation in the 'Deep-Sea Mineral Mining Prevention Initiative' with Global Companies like BMW, Volvo, and Google
The Only One in the Battery Industry

Visitors attending the battery industry exhibition 'InterBattery 2020' held at COEX last year are exploring the exhibits.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Samsung SDI is accelerating its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management by participating in the 'Deep-Sea Mineral Mining Prevention Initiative,' which pledges not to extract deep-sea minerals that could impact the marine environment.

On the 31st, according to related industries and foreign media, global companies including Samsung SDI, BMW, Volvo, and Google released a statement supporting a global moratorium (temporary suspension) on deep-sea mineral mining (DSM). They promised not to extract minerals from the deep sea nor use resources supplied through DSM. Samsung SDI is the only company in the battery industry participating in this initiative.

A representative from the international environmental organization WWF, which advocated the initiative, expressed a welcoming attitude toward the participating companies, stating, "Deep-sea mining is an environmental disaster that can be prevented."

Recently, with growing interest in the electric vehicle market and increasing battery demand, the demand for key minerals such as cobalt and lithium has surged. Consequently, interest in the potential utilization of mineral resources from the deep sea beyond land has also increased. The industry views that mining minerals from the sea would destroy deep-sea ecosystems and biodiversity. The companies participating in the initiative stated that the harmfulness and impact of DSM on deep-sea ecosystems have not been sufficiently reviewed and oppose commercial deep-sea mineral mining until safety is proven.

A Samsung SDI official said, "We positively evaluate being the first and only company in the battery industry to participate in the Deep-Sea Mineral Mining Prevention Initiative," adding, "We will continue to maintain interest and participation to practically implement ESG management through responsible mineral mining and supply methods."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.