Environmental law and economics expert Bobbi-Jo Dobush warns that deep-sea mining could disrupt carbon cycles, threaten biodiversity, and offer limited economic returns.
China Minmetals has secured international approval to begin deep-sea mining trials in the Pacific Ocean, marking a strategic milestone in China’s pursuit of critical minerals beneath international waters.
Deep-sea mining offers a new source of critical minerals for green technologies, but threatens fragile marine ecosystems and faces regulatory uncertainty. Is the world ready to mine the ocean floor?
Former President Donald Trump signed an executive order to fast-track deep-sea mining exploration, aiming to secure critical minerals like copper and cobalt and reduce U.S. dependence on China, despite environmental concerns.