Experts warn of ‘no-holds-barred’ Arctic fight

A high-powered group of international experts are warning a “no-holds-barred” race for Arctic resources could shape up unless countries around the world move faster to reach agreements on development, safety and environmental standards.

A new report by 40 experts from six different countries spells out four scenarios for the future of the top of the world — including one in which the Arctic becomes increasingly militarized as demand for energy, minerals and even fresh water outpaces and overwhelms diplomacy.

… The world’s largest zinc mine and copper-nickel mine are already in the Arctic. A vast iron mine, complete with its own port, is planned for Baffin Island.

Recently, BP bid $1.18-billion for exploration rights in Canada’s Beaufort Sea. In February, Shell paid the U.S. government $2.1 billion for oil and gas leases in the Chukchi Sea and last summer ExxonMobil Canada bid $585 million for other exploration rights off the coast of the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

“Look, the global maritime industry is already in the Arctic,” said Brigham, the former head of planning for the U.S. Coast Guard. “We need to get our act together here to protect the Arctic Ocean.

“The diplomats are saying, `We got ‘er all under control.’ I’m not sure about all that.”

CTV