Mining for Fossil Fuels and Minerals in Antarctica
Mining for Fossil Fuels and Minerals in Antarctica In the near future the human race will have consumed the mineral resources and fossil fuels within the earth’s crust. ... Today, I will be discussing the effects and proposal of mining in Antarctica, which has previously been discussed, although was saved in 1998 when the Antarctic Treaty was introduced. This Treaty, also known as the Madrid Protocol protects Antarctica’s pristine environment by devoting this natural reserve to peace and science, also prohibiting mining and drilling for oil for a minimum of 50 years. ... Although Antarctica is protected at this present time, the concerning question is ‘Will Antarctica be mined in the future when the Treaty expires and desperation for mineral resources and fossil fuels escalates?’ By mining in Antarctica businesses will provide the much-needed minerals and fossil fuels for our civilization as it advances and grows. ... It would also be beneficial for a company to mine in Antarctica, as they would not have to pay for GST or taxes on the produce. Also by providing these much needed minerals for our technological future the strain and money involved in finding these mineral deposits would be lessened. ... Although these benefits make the proposition of mining in Antarctica sound appealing there are an extensive amount of facts that make this proposition almost impossible. ... Weather conditions in Antarctica are the harshest in the world and where the worlds lowest temperature of -89. ... The many costs involved to mine Antarctica, with estimations based on the current rate and technology, are expected to be so enormous that an operation is almost impossible because it would be so costly. Health problems for the miners would also be a major factor in Antarctica, which may include fatal illnesses such as hypothermia.