Minerals
The minerals found in Antarctica are silver, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, gold, chromium, manganese, titanium, cobalt, iron, nickel and uranium.
The countries that are owners of the land in Antarctica are not allowed to mine the minerals as they have signed a treaty saying they are not allowed to. This means no one owns the minerals but they do take care of the land that covers the minerals and metals.
The countries that are owners of the land in Antarctica are not allowed to mine the minerals as they have signed a treaty saying they are not allowed to. This means no one owns the minerals but they do take care of the land that covers the minerals and metals.
Impact on Mining
The impacts on mining in Antarctica would ruin the lives of the animals that live there and their habitats. It would disturb their lives maybe causing them to migrate which could lead to disturbing their breeding habits. If the mining continued long enough it could force some animals to become endangered. The conditions in Antarctica would make it hard for people to mine for the minerals there which could cause the landscape to be messy and ruin it's natural beauty. Not only would it affect Antarctica but the equipment is expensive which might mean they won't make a profit and also the oil and waste that is left over would damage Antarctica even further.
Antarctic Treaty
The Antarctic treaty is a documentation that has been signed by the 12 countries who own parts of land in Antarctica. It was signed in 1961 but has had many amendments and changes of the rules including the banning of mining in Antarctica. It is a list of rules that the 12 countries have to follow.
Groups working to protect Antarctica
The National Government that have signed the treaty and have bases in Antarctica are keeping the environment as pristine and clean as possible. The Australian Antarctic Division try to minimise the impacts on Antarctica by checking that it is clean and all rubbish and discarded waste is cleared. Greenpeace have protested that you can't mine, be added to the treaty and was added in 1991. The Sea Shepard organisation has devoted themselves to defend and protect the whales but instead of using a more peaceful approach they have claimed that they have sunk ten whaling ships. The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators is a voluntary group who keeps Antarctica safe for tourist.
Recommendations
I recommend that the mining in Antarctica should continue being on the treaty, because of what it does to not only the beauty of the landscape but how it affects the animals too. For this to happen people would have to stay aware of what mining does and that people stay interested.