Final answer:
Manganese nodule mining hasn't developed due to environmental, economic, and legal challenges, complex technology, potential ecosystem damage, uncertain legal frameworks, fluctuating commodity prices, and concerns about impacts on local populations and indigenous rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
Manganese nodule mining has not developed due to a combination of environmental, economic, and legal challenges. The technology required for deep-sea mining is complex and expensive, and there are significant concerns about the potential environmental impact of disturbing deep-sea ecosystems.
In addition, the legal framework for mining the international seabed is not fully established, which creates uncertainty for companies interested in mining.
Historically, the extraction of resources like minerals from the ground often resulted in significant environmental degradation and also posed serious health risks to the local population.
These factors, combined with the fluctuation in world commodity prices and the depletion of easily accessible surface deposits, contribute to the delay in manganese nodule mining development.
There are also political and social considerations, such as the rights and well-being of indigenous communities that are often affected by large-scale mining operations.