There's no rulebook for deep sea mining. Companies want to push forward anyway

Countries have debated for decades whether to allow mining on the ocean floor, a potential trove of critical minerals. Now, companies are telling regulators they plan to move ahead, whether or not rules are in place.

Mar 27, 2025 - 14:08
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There's no rulebook for deep sea mining. Companies want to push forward anyway
Negotiators are hammering out rules to govern mining on the ocean floor, where critical metals are found in deposits called polymetallic nodules. Here, ferromanganese nodules in the North Atlantic.

Countries have debated for decades whether to allow mining on the ocean floor, a potential trove of critical minerals. Now, companies are telling regulators they plan to move ahead, whether or not rules are in place.

(Image credit: NOAA Ocean Exploration)