Why can't the known mineral resources in Antarctica be exploited at this moment in time?

Answer 1

Eighty percent of the planet's population, represented by their governments, have signed or ratified the Antarctic Treaty.

The treaty preserves all land and ice south of 60 degrees S, for the scientific study of the health of planet Earth. It's Marine Protocols also protect the Southern Ocean and its inhabitants in the same geography.

The reasons for this decision may have been both scientific and practical. Antarctica is too cold to support life, making commercial exploitation very expensive and impractical.

Answer 2

The Antarctic Treaty preserves the earth south of 60 degrees South Latitude, which includes the Antarctic continent -- as a place for science. This means that there is no commercial venture allowed.

The treaty was signed by governments representing about 80% of the earth's population.

Answer 3

Mining is not done in Antarctica at all first of all it is very difficult to do so because of the thick covering of ice and snowfall throughout the year. There are no human habitations in Antarctica because of it unique features that is Antarctica has night for 6 months and day for 6 months and the extreme freezing point of water. Therefore crops cant be cultivated and food cant be obtained. Hence there are no human habitations living there so the Natural Resources, minerals belong to the whole world as there are no Antarcticans to enjoy it. Therefore according to the Antarctica treaty, nothing can be mined over there. The mineral resources belong to the whole world. But they can be used for research but cannot be taken out of the continent. There are a few research stations there.

Answer 4

1. Although several nations have territorial claims on parts of Antarctica, it is generally recognized as lacking sovereignty, so there is considerable ambiguity as to ownership of any mineral resources there: (The Antarctic Treaty -- 1959 -- holds all claims in abeyance and prohibits new claims.)
2. None of the mineral resources can be mined. The Antarctic Treaty preserves the land, ice and water south of 60 degrees S. for strictly scientific purposes.
3. Antarctica is remote, far away from any port that could receive and process any mineral resources - over consistently rough and ice choked seas - making it difficult to transport any extracted materials to and from the continent. The sea ice around the continent doubles the area of the content in winter, making the edges of Antarctic inaccessible for more than half the year.
4. Ninety-eight percent of the land where any mineral resources might be found is under an ice sheet -- some as thick as two miles, which would require penetration before any mineral extraction could begin
5. Antarctica is the coldest continent on earth making it extraordinarily hazardous for people and generally rendering machinery inoperable - which means it would be prohibitively expensive to even try.

Bottom line - it is not worth the trouble.

Answer 5

There are no commercial ventures allowed on any land south of 60 degrees S, according to the Antarctic Treaty. The treaty preserves this land for science.

Answer 6

According to it, no country can exploit the

natural resources of Antarctica.They agreed to use it

only for peacefull puroses.​

Answer 7

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Answer 8

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