1. Researching this topic
“Should the ban on mining, oil and gas extraction in Antarctica be lifted?”
Researching this topic

2. 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.

3. What is Antarctica like?
Browse the above web site. It will give you an easy overview of what it is like in Antarctica.

4. 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

5. Where is Antarctica? Here is a link to an important web site resource.
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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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