“Should the ban on mining, oil
and gas extraction in Antarctica
be lifted?”
Researching this topic
Where is Antarctica?
Antarctica is a continent, just like
Australia, South America or Africa
are continents.
Antarctica is located all around
the South Pole.
There is no natural human
population in Antarctica, the only
continent with no natural human
population.
Some explorers and scientists live
in Antarctica temporarily, but
conditions are too severe to
support a permanent human
population.
What is Antarctica like?
http://www.coolantarctica.com/A
ntarctica%20fact%20file/antarctic
a%20environment/whats%20it%2
0like%20in%20Antarctica2.htm
Browse the above web site. It
will give you an easy overview
of what it is like in Antarctica.
What resources are in
Antarctica
Antarctica is a very large
continent. There are, more or
less, the same kinds of
mineral resources in
Antarctica as there are on any
continent.
Oil, natural gas, coal, gold,
diamonds, and others are all
to be found in the continent
or under the seas next to it.
Only Antarctica has no
grasslands or forests, so none
of those resources.
Minerals in Antarctica
Where is Antarctica?
Here is a link to an important web site resource.
http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/science/threats_minin
g_oil.htm
It will tell you some things about coal, oil and gas.
It will also tell you about the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the
Antarctic Treaty, and the Madrid Protocol. These agreements banned mining in
Antarctica up to the year 2041.
However, now that the price of oil is rising, some countries can see profit if they
make the effort to go get the oil. These countries would want to
Cancel the above agreements, amend them, or get them to expire.
Different opinions about
mining in Antarctica, and
the treaties that prohibit it
Consider the following cards.
They represent a range of
opinions on this topic. Maybe
they will give you some ideas.
Tourist
Tourists want to visit Antarctica
because it is the last untouched
wilderness on earth. You oppose
any mining because it will ruin the
natural beauty that tourists come
to see. Tourists do not want to see
open mines scaring the landscape
or development of mining
infrastructure. Look at the tourism
section for more information on
tourism in Antarctica.
Mining Company
Mining companies support the lift on
the mining ban because they want to
explore the area for mining
opportunities. Many minerals and
energy sources have run out or are
running low, so mining in Antarctica
could solve this problem. Mining
could be done using more
environmentally friendly techniques.
Conservationist
You think that the Antarctic Treaty
should be upheld and no mining
should be allowed on Antarctica.
Once mining starts the
environment will be ruined forever,
affecting the landscape and wildlife
which are already threatened with
extinction. Look at 'conservation' in
the politics section of the website
for more information.
Scientist
You think scientists should be left
in peace to study Antarctica to
help in the world's global problems
like climate change and sea level
rise. If mining took place, science
would cease to become the most
important activity on Antarctica
and important studies that could
help everyone may be put in
jeopardy. Look at 'science' in the
politics section of the website for
more information.
Industrialist
You support the move to lift the ban
on Antarctic mining. Your business
uses iron ore to produce paints,
fillers in plastics and drying agents.
Without iron your business will fold.
There are many other industries
that require minerals that will run
out soon. Antarctica can help solve
the world's shortage of minerals.
Government representative
Your country previously supported
the Antarctic Treaty ban on mining.
But with the decline of many
minerals and energy sources over
the last 40 years your country
cannot function properly unless new
sources of these minerals and
energy sources are found.
Country Connections to the topic
China
• Has no territorial claims in Antarctica
• Is a rapidly industrializing and growing economy
• Requires incredible amounts of oil and coal to feed
its expanding economy
• Would really like to be able to exploit the coal and oil
of Antarctica
Country Connections to the topic
India
• Has no territorial claims in Antarctica
• Is a rapidly industrializing and growing economy
• Uses less coal and oil than China, and has closer
access to Middle-Eastern oil
• Requires large amounts of oil and coal to feed its
expanding economy
• Has alternatives to Antarctic resources but if China
starts getting access to these than so will India wan
to be able to exploit the coal and oil of Antarctica
Country Connections to the topic
Japan
• Endlessly dependent on importing oil and coal
• The economy uses less coal and oil than China
• Looks for cheaper sources of these resources
• Wants unrestrained access to whale hunting and
fishing in Antarctica waters
• Willing to support a lifting of the ban on resource
exploitation if Japan will get to hunt whales and have
unlimited fishing access to these waters
Country Connections to the topic
USA
• Has no territorial claims to Antarctica
• Does not want China to get their hands on the
resources of Antarctica
• USA has lots of access to its own other oil and coal
supplies, though when these sources begin running
low the USA may start looking to Antarctica
Country Connections to the topic
Canada
• Very much opposes drilling for oil or digging for coal in
Antarctica
• This is because Canada digs a lot of coal and drills for a lot of
oil in Canada itself, and sells it at high prices to countries like
China
• Canada is good friends with both China and the USA, which
means Canada might support either China or USA
• May support China and say yes to lifting the ban
• May support USA and say no to lifting the ban
Country Connections to the topic
Norway
• Has territorial claims to Antarctica, based on
exploration over 100 years ago
• Would like to have its territorial claims approved of
by all other countries
• Would like to secure mineral and oil rights in
Antarctica
• However, is a very environmentally responsible
country and is more likely to want to preserve the
natural environment of Antarctica
Country Connections to the topic
Argentina
• Is located closest to Antarctica, next to Chile
• Is most likely to benefit from oil and coal exploitation from
Antarctica, even if they don’t themselves drill
• Argentina would benefit by serving as a base from which oil
and coal companies could base much of their operations
• Argentina also wants to take control over the Falkland Islands
from the United Kingdom. Argentina may work a trade for
taking the Falklands, but keeping the treaty, or not getting the
Falklands but voting to remove the treaty
Country Connections to the topic
United Kingdom
• Possesses the Falkland Islands and South Georgia
Islands, very far south in the Atlantic Ocean
• Has territorial claims in Antarctica
• Does want to keep the treaty ban in place
Country Connections to the topic
New Zealand
• Claims a large piece of Antarctica
• Is a very environmentally friendly and responsible
country
• Is a strong supporter of protecting whales and
dolphins from hunting
• Always supports protecting the environment
Country Connections to the topic
France
• Claims a narrow slice of Antarctica
• Plays a very political international game
• Willing to vote yes or no on the treaty question,
depending on what France will gain for itself from
doing so
Country Connections to the topic
Australia
• Has the largest territorial claim of Antarctica, almost
half of the landmass
• Would have most of the oil and coal resources in its
claimed territory
• Generally an environmentally friendly country, but ...
• Australia does dig out a sell a lot of coal from its own
country
• Would gain a lot of wealth if it could also get oil and
coal from Antarctica
Country Connections to the topic
Chile
• Is located closest to Antarctica, next to Argentina
• Is likely to benefit from oil and coal exploitation from
Antarctica, even if they don’t themselves drill
• Chile could benefit by serving as a base from which
oil and coal companies could base much of their
operations
• Chile could service companies from the Pacific area