International Seabed Authority elects new secretary general amid concerns over deep-sea mining

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Members of the International Seabed Authority elected Leticia Carvalho of Brazil as the group's new secretary general Friday amid growing support for a preliminary halt to deep-sea mining.

Carvalho received 79 votes compared to incumbent Michael Lodge’s 34 votes. The ISA concluded its session Friday with no consensus on a regulatory framework for deep-sea mining.

So far, 32 states have called for a preliminary halt to deep-sea mining. They include Tuvalu, Guatemala, Honduras and France.

The drawn-out debate raises concerns that the authority could receive an application later this year seeking the first deep-sea mining exploitation license without having rules or regulations in place. The Metals Company, a Canadian-based mining company, is largely expected to be the first to apply for such a license.