Just about every Western producer will tell you metal produced to higher environmental and social standards should command a premium.
Researchers sampled the seabed of the Clarion-Clapperton Zone to assess the possible impacts of deep-sea mining.
Four other senior officials in environment ministry also accused.
The steelmaking material slid as much as 3.5% to touch $99.85 in Singapore, with futures on track for a third day of losses.
