The Necessity of Minerals for the Energy Transition
The transition to renewable energy and combating climate change require vast quantities of minerals such as cobalt, graphite, nickel, lithium, manganese, copper, precious metals, and rare earth elements (neodymium, samarium, europium, terbium, dysprosium, among others). These minerals are crucial for high-power electrical motor magnets, battery electrodes and electrolytes, green hydrogen production systems through electrolysis, electric vehicles, power transmission and distribution systems, and numerous other applications. The global demand for these minerals is projected to quadruple by 2040, according to the International Energy Agency.
On land, it’s becoming increasingly complex to explore, develop, and extract new mineral deposits due to regulatory, political, social, and environmental constraints. Large-scale open-pit mines have severe environmental impacts, including the destruction of tropical forests and biodiversity, extensive landscape alteration, and water body contamination. Examples include nickel mining in Indonesia, cobalt extraction in the Democratic Republic of Congo, rare earth mining in China, and copper mining in Chile, Tanzania, Mexico, Zambia, and Peru.
Deep-Sea Mining: A Potential Solution
Oceanic funds contain astronomical reserves of these minerals, located thousands of meters below the ocean’s surface in areas with no sunlight and minimal oxygen. Despite these harsh conditions, unique marine ecosystems and species thrive in these depths. There are three main types of deposits:
- Polymetallic nodules: These small, fist-sized formations cover the seafloor, created by precipitation over millions of years. They represent nearly unexplored habitats.
- Sulfide deposits: Associated with active ocean ridges, underwater volcanoes, and hydrothermal vents, these formations occur when hot fluids saturated with metals emerge from the seafloor, react with cold water, and precipitate sulfides of various minerals.
- Mineral crusts: Found on the slopes of submarine mountains, adhering to bottom rocks, these are also formed by the slow precipitation of metals from seawater.
Extracting these deposits involves large specialized ships operating massive robotic machines (the size of trucks) that traverse the seafloor, sucking up material and sending it to the surface like giant vacuums. This process drastically disrupts the seafloor habitat, whose species have slow physiology, growth, and reproduction rates. Recovery takes hundreds or thousands of years. The suction itself generates large plumes of sediment, and waste disposal further pollutes the water column within several kilometers.
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) and Deep-Sea Mining Regulations
The International Seabed Authority (ISA), under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, was established to manage deep-sea mining in international waters. However, ISA has yet to finalize and implement environmental regulations due to political pressures. Meanwhile, the U.S., under President Trump’s executive order, has authorized mining for strategic minerals in international waters without environmental safeguards.
This move has been criticized by France, Costa Rica, and others who argue that ocean floors are humanity’s heritage, not private company assets. China supports ISA and condemns Trump’s decision, positioning itself as a champion for global public goods. Many believe ISA should expedite regulation and permit issuance before numerous companies take advantage of Trump’s decree, potentially causing more harm through unregulated deep-sea mining.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is deep-sea mining? Deep-sea mining involves extracting minerals from the ocean floor, typically at depths exceeding 200 meters.
- Why is deep-sea mining considered? The energy transition and climate change efforts require vast quantities of minerals, many of which are found in abundance on the ocean floor.
- What are the environmental concerns of deep-sea mining? Deep-sea mining can severely disrupt marine ecosystems, leading to habitat destruction, sediment plumes, and water pollution.
- What is the role of ISA in deep-sea mining? The International Seabed Authority is responsible for managing deep-sea mining in international waters, though it has yet to finalize environmental regulations.
- How have recent political developments affected deep-sea mining? The U.S. has authorized deep-sea mining for strategic minerals in international waters, disregarding environmental concerns and challenging ISA’s authority.
