Deep-Sea Minerals 101: What You Need to Know

The deep ocean holds cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, and rare earth elements used in batteries, electronics, magnets, and defence systems. These minerals are found on the seafloor in three forms: polymetallic nodules, seamount crusts, and hydrothermal vents.
Some governments and mining companies want to extract them, citing the energy transition and national security. Geopolitics is speeding the push, but political motives do not make deep-sea mining safe.
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Mining thousands of metres down would destroy one of the least understood ecosystems on Earth, stirring sediment, collapsing habitats, and causing irreversible damage.
This is not just an environmental issue. It is a governance, justice, and science issue.
Critical minerals matter. We cannot sacrifice the deep ocean to get them.