DESPITE repeated concerns from civil society, youth advocates, and legal experts, Tonga has signed a revised sponsorship agreement for deep sea mining.
The deal was signed with Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd (TOML), a subsidiary of The Metals Company (TMC), on Monday.
In 2021the original agreement was signed with little public consultation.
The updated deal promises future benefits if deep sea mining proceeds, yet many Tongans remain unconvinced, citing environmental risks, legal liabilities, and lack of transparency.