A top U.N. regulator said Friday that mining of the world’s ocean floors should not move forward without rules in place, but that his agency cannot stop companies from trying to move ahead if countries can’t agree on a framework.

Michael Lodge, secretary-general of the International Seabed Authority, told reporters at a news conference that there’s widespread agreement that safety and environmental rules are needed before mining takes place. He dismissed calls for the group to instead prohibit all ocean mining.

A growing number of countries and environmental groups have called for the body to impose a moratorium on mining of the deep seas until the effects of such a practice can be more fully studied and understood.

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