Latest news with #polymetallicnodules
Globe and Mail
23-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Trump's lunge for critical metals could come at a huge environmental cost by churning up the seabed
The Metals Company, a Canadian deep-sea minerals exploration business that trades on Nasdaq, was a penny stock in December. Today, its shares are worth about US$4.40 apiece, giving it a market value of US$1.6-billion even though it has no profits. What happened? Donald Trump is what happened. By now we know that the U.S. President is obsessed with 'critical' minerals, a catch-all term that is generally defined as those minerals considered essential for the latest technologies, among them cobalt for electric-vehicle batteries, gallium for LED lights, and rare earth metals for guided missiles. Mr. Trump knows that China has pretty much locked up the global market for these minerals, including the smelters that cast them into usable products. His 'minerals deal' with Ukraine, signed in April, was billed as a critical metals triumph but seemed more about exploiting fairly abundant metals such as titanium, lithium and graphite that you can find pretty much anywhere, plus resources such as oil, natural gas and coal that are a glut on the market. (The U.S. Geological Survey does not list Ukraine as having any rare earths, a subset of critical minerals). So Mr. Trump's hunt for the most critical of critical metals continued and, for that, he put on his metaphoric bathing trunks, grabbed a scuba tank and plunged underwater. There, at the bottom of the ocean, lay vast tracts of polymetallic nodules the size of potatoes that are stuffed with nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese. But how to extract them from international waters? No problem. He bypassed the United Nations-mandated International Seabed Authority (ISA), which was established in the 1980s under the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea. The ISA, which has legal authority over seabed resources, has issued a few exploration licences but no commercial licences to churn up the seabed and squirt the nodules to the surface. The United States is one of the few countries that is not a member of the ISA but is described by it as a 'reliable observer and significant contributor to the negotiations' of the agency. Mr. Trump's workaround took the form of an executive order last month that saw him direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with the U.S.'s Deep Seabed Hard Resources Minerals Resources Act at its side, to grant permits to mining companies to operate in both international and U.S. waters. The ISA objected but was ignored by the White House. The Metals Company, which had lobbied the Trump administration to grant deep-sea mining rights, cheered and submitted applications for two exploration licences and one commercial recovery permit. They will cover a portion of the Clarion-Clipperton Zone – a seabed plain that spans 4.5 million square kilometres between Hawaii and Mexico. The company's shares soared. In a statement, the Metals Company said it believed its exploration areas contained 15.5 million tonnes of nickel, 12.8 million tonnes of copper, two million tonnes of cobalt and 35 million tonnes of manganese. Gerard Barron, chairman and CEO, said the application for the permits 'marks a major step forward … for America's mineral independence and industrial resurgence.' What is equally true is that it marks a potential major step backward for the health of the oceans. The deep-ocean depths are largely unexplored; they are among the last virgin wildernesses on the planet. Scientists have not catalogued many of the otherworldly creatures found in the cold, dark depths. Recent deep dives with robotic submarines have found what the BBC called a 'living constellation' of animals, from organisms flashing with bioluminescence to a 'walking' fish – actually a sea toad – with googly eyes, bright-red spiky skin and sturdy fins that allow it to crawl on the sea floor. How would these creatures, and thousands of other species, survive the enormous tank-like machines – the biggest weigh about 300 tonnes – that would grind their way along the seabed to scoop up the nodules and shoot them along tubes to the surface? They probably wouldn't. Scientists have warned about noise and light pollution from the machines, sediment plumes from the grinding action, loss of biodiversity, and the release of massive amounts of carbon from the ocean floor. Some 700 marine scientists have signed a petition calling for a 'pause' in the rush to mine the seas until the extent of the environmental damage can be determined. David Attenborough, the English broadcaster and biologist, has urged governments to ban deep-sea mining. A 2023 study by Fauna and Flora International warned that churning up the seabed could cause significant loss of biodiversity and the microbes that store carbon. Batteries for EVs, phones and other products are driving the rush to find critical metals. The demand for batteries is rising fast as the internal combustion engine retreats from the car market. The 'green' transition is laying waste to entire landscapes, from the Indonesian rainforests, where nickel mines are proliferating, to the carbon sinks of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the source of most of the world's cobalt. Strip-mining the oceans is now almost certainly next and could go down as Mr. Trump's darkest legacy.
TechCrunch
21-05-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
Trump administration may sell deep-sea mining leases at startup's urging
The U.S. Department of the Interior said Tuesday it's beginning the process of selling deep sea mining leases after a request from startup Impossible Metals. The agency said the process would 'evaluate a potential mineral lease sale in the waters offshore American Samoa.' The administrative procedure requires a publication in the federal register and the solicitation of public feedback before considering any sales. Given the tone of the Secretary of the Interior's statement on the matter, the lease sale might be a foregone conclusion. 'Critical minerals are fundamental to strengthening our nation's resilience and safeguarding our national interests,' Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said. 'By providing opportunities to responsibly access deep-sea mineral resources, we are supporting both American economic growth and national security.' Impossible Metals, a deep-sea mining startup, submitted a formal request for the leases in April. The company has developed an underwater autonomous vehicle that's lowered by crane to the ocean floor, where it uses robotic claws to grab polymetallic nodules rich in minerals. Impossible Metals claims that its UAV is less disruptive to the fragile deep-water ecosystem than its competitors, many of which use vacuums to hoover up the nodules. Polymetallic nodules form over the course of millions of years, accumulating minerals that are dissolved in seawater, including manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, and copper. As the world electrifies, demand for such critical minerals has skyrocketed. China's dominance over key mineral markets like cobalt have also sent companies and governments searching for alternative sources. Techcrunch event Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot for our leading AI industry event with speakers from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Cohere. For a limited time, tickets are just $292 for an entire day of expert talks, workshops, and potent networking. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | REGISTER NOW The lumps of metal have caught the eye of prospectors because they contain incredibly high concentrations of minerals, far higher than terrestrial mines typically recover. Ecologists and oceanographers have warned that mining operations in regions rich with polymetallic nodules risk disrupting fragile ecosystems. Life down deep grows slowly, and any disruption there would take decades to bounce back. One recent study found that microbial communities would need 50 years to recover from mining operations. Sponges and other creatures growing on the floor could be directly harmed by the mining robots, and those that are passed over would still have to cope with sediment plumes polluting the normally clear water. What's more, the nodules themselves produce oxygen, suggesting they may help researchers find life on other planets.
Sustainability Times
11-05-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Trump Declares Resource War': This Controversial Move to Mine the Ocean Floor Aims to Break China's 80% Resource Stranglehold
IN A NUTSHELL 🌊 Deep-sea mining offers access to valuable minerals critical for modern technology, but poses environmental risks. offers access to valuable minerals critical for modern technology, but poses environmental risks. 🌍 The Clarion-Clipperton Zone is rich in polymetallic nodules, a tempting alternative to land-based mining. is rich in polymetallic nodules, a tempting alternative to land-based mining. ⚖️ The U.S. aims to reduce China's dominance in the mineral sector, sparking geopolitical and ecological debates. in the mineral sector, sparking geopolitical and ecological debates. 🛑 Scientists urge caution as the International Seabed Authority prepares to finalize mining regulations in July 2025. The deep ocean has long remained an enigmatic and untapped frontier, holding within its depths vast reserves of minerals critical to modern technology. As global demand for these resources intensifies, the United States is considering ambitious plans to mine the ocean floor, potentially altering the strategic balance of mineral supply currently dominated by China. However, this endeavor presents not only economic opportunities but also significant environmental challenges and geopolitical implications. Exploring the Treasures Beneath the Waves Beneath the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean, particularly in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, lie polymetallic nodules rich in nickel, cobalt, and manganese. These minerals are essential for the production of electric vehicles, batteries, and renewable energy technologies. The nodules have formed over millions of years, resting at depths exceeding 13,000 feet, creating a tantalizing resource for those daring enough to extract them. In addition to these nodules, the deep ocean harbors other mineral-rich deposits around hydrothermal vents and seamounts. These areas offer an alternative to terrestrial mining, which is becoming increasingly challenging and environmentally costly. However, the technological and financial hurdles of deep-sea mining are significant, requiring sophisticated remotely operated vehicles to carefully extract the nodules from the ocean floor. Despite the allure of these resources, the complexity and expense of deep-sea mining have, until recently, rendered it economically unviable. But with advancements in technology and increasing demand for these critical minerals, the United States is poised to challenge China's dominance in this sector, potentially reshaping the global supply chain. Ultra-Deep Geothermal Tech Poised to Disrupt Global Energy as It Taps Earth's Core to Outshine Fossil Fuels and Nuclear Power A High Cost for Ocean Life While the extraction of ocean floor minerals promises economic benefits, it poses substantial risks to marine ecosystems. The process of deep-sea mining disrupts seafloor habitats and generates sediment plumes that can harm midwater zone ecosystems, crucial for the ocean's carbon cycle and commercial fisheries. These plumes can clog the gills of fish and block visual cues used by bioluminescent organisms, threatening the intricate balance of marine life. Research in areas like the Clarion-Clipperton Zone has shown that mining impacts can persist for decades, with significant effects on seabed fauna. Many species in these regions are newly discovered, and their loss could irreversibly diminish our understanding of marine biodiversity. The potential ecological damage underscores the need for caution in pursuing deep-sea mining. The debate continues as to whether the economic benefits justify the environmental risks. Scientists and conservationists advocate for stringent oversight and international cooperation to mitigate these impacts, ensuring the preservation of ocean ecosystems for future generations. 'More Powerful Than Bugatti': Mercedes Stuns the World by Unveiling 2,000-HP Electric Supercar That Redefines Speed and Power Breaking China's Grip on Mineral Treasure China currently dominates the global market for deep-sea minerals, accounting for the majority of production, processing, and manufacturing. This strategic advantage has prompted the United States to accelerate efforts to develop its own capabilities in ocean floor mining. The Trump administration has prioritized removing regulatory barriers and streamlining permits to facilitate this endeavor, arguing that securing domestic mineral resources is crucial for national security and technological advancement. However, this approach has sparked controversy, with critics warning that bypassing international regulations could lead to geopolitical tensions and environmental degradation. The push for resource independence must balance the need for economic competitiveness with responsible stewardship of marine environments. As the U.S. government and private sector forge ahead, the question remains whether the pursuit of these underwater treasures will lead to sustainable development or environmental catastrophe. 'Unbreakable Armor for Tomorrow's Nuclear Powerhouses' as Next-Gen Reactors Boast Cutting-Edge Shielding Design to Revolutionize Safety Standards Regulatory Bypasses and International Concerns In an effort to expedite ocean floor mining, President Trump signed an executive order bypassing the International Seabed Authority, the global body overseeing deep-sea mining. This decision has raised alarms among scientists and international observers, who fear it could undermine international law and escalate global conflict over these resources. Proponents of seabed mining argue that it is essential for energy security and economic growth, citing the vulnerabilities in current supply chains. Yet, opponents stress the unproven nature of the technology and the potential for significant ecological harm. They advocate for alternative strategies such as recycling and material innovation to reduce reliance on newly mined minerals. The debate over deep-sea mining reflects broader tensions between economic ambitions and environmental responsibility. As nations grapple with these challenges, the need for international cooperation and sustainable practices becomes increasingly urgent. July 2025: A Global Crossroads ▶ The upcoming meeting of the International Seabed Authority in July 2025 marks a pivotal moment in the future of deep-sea mining. With 32 countries supporting a moratorium on mining until more scientific understanding is gained, the world stands at a crossroads. The decisions made at this meeting could define the balance between economic development and environmental preservation for years to come. As scientists urge caution and international cooperation, the challenge lies in balancing the race for resources with the protection of one of Earth's largest and least understood ecosystems. Will humanity find a way to harness these underwater treasures without sacrificing the health of our oceans? Did you like it? 4.6/5 (20)
