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Polymetallic nodules, which contain valuable minerals, are found in different deep sea regions.
Deep sea minerals, which contain metals such as cobalt, nickel and copper, are aiming to be used in batteries and electronics. These minerals are believed to be essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy storage and wiring.
In January 2025, non -profit while planting announced an withdrawal agreement with First Solar to exclude minerals mined from the deep sea.
The deal represents a shift of initiatives to a company to concert with other global brands and nations concerned about the mining of rare minerals from the deep bed for production and supply chains.
Since 1992, while the SOW programs have focused on advocating corporate shareholders resulting in large -scale systemic changes promoting sustainable and equal corporations.
The first solar attraction is the first deal reached between shareholders and a public company for disputed mines by the deep sea.
Sea mine
Deep sea mines as a concept began in the late 1960s and 1970s when the potential of polyimetal joints on the ocean floor was first recognized as a new source of minerals and can be used in electric vehicles, smartphones, laptops, etc.
The first exploration efforts began in the 1980s and 1990s when companies and governments began serious research and development in the feasibility of deep sea mines.
The technology used for deep sea mines includes specialized equipment designed to operate under extreme conditions, such as very high pressure, freezing temperatures and complete darkness.
Technologies to undermine the deep sea include harvesting that crawls along the ocean floor and collect polyimetallic joints; vertical risers, which are long pipes that transport nodes from the sea to the mines and surface support vessels; and sends that process and save the nodes.
In November 2022, the metal company carried out a test that issued 3,000 tonnes of polyimetallic joints from the Clarion-Clipperton area. This year, the controversy about deep sea minerals is expected to be heated with a decision pending international UN Sea Authority. However, a scientific paper from 2023 found that material production must be expanded to meet future energy generation needs, but the geological reserves of materials are sufficient to meet all the foreseen future requirements without deep sea mines.
Despite the list of 60 companies and 30 countries that already agree with a moratorium, the deep sea mining industry could receive support from the Trump administration.
According to Cole Genge, director of AS Sow programs, Deep Sea Sea (DSM) developing one of the most important new threats to global biodiversity.
“While the green transition, including the placement of electric vehicles, hastens, companies like the metal company plan to seize seafood for joints -related minerals,” Genge said. “DSM supporters argue that deep sea mines pose less risks to climate and biodiversity compared to land mines.”
The International Sea Authority (ISA) regulates deep sea mines in international waters. Isa has granted permission to several companies and governments to explore and undermine the deep sea, including metal company, China’s Metal Research and Metal Resources Development; The National Corporation of Oil, Gas and Metals of Japan; Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment of the Russian Federation; and companies controlled by the government or state in France, India and Poland.
Genge says companies like Company Metals and Global Mineral Sources have made evidence of these technologies to prove their feasibility. “However, the environmental risks associated with these methods, such as habitat destruction and sediment plums, remain a major concern.”
Jonathan Rowntree, CEO of Niron Magnetics says that mining for critical minerals are one of the biggest obstacles in the transition of green energy.
“It’S’S’S expensive, slow and comes at considerable environmental costs,” Rowntree said. “Whether the minerals are extracted from the ocean floor or land deposits, the process is divisive, generates waste and raises sustainability concerns.”
“While the demand for these materials continues to grow because of the world that goes to electrification and renewable energy, this may not be enough. That is why the solution is not either/or – it’s all above, “he said.
The rare mineral circular economy of the soil
“So far, deep sea mines are still in the exploration and testing phase, without commercial operations still approved. The industry continues to evolve as technology advances and regulatory frameworks develop,” Genge said.
But Genge says the debate over deep sea mines is a very real issue that can shape the future of the equipment we rely on every day.
“Deep mines target minerals like cobalt, nickel and lithium keys components on smartphones, laptops and electric vehicles-but comes at a steep environmental cost,” he said.
Genge says the environmental cost of ocean floor mines is that it risks destroying fragile ecosystems, reduce biodiversity and disrupt the ability of the ocean to maintain carbon and produce oxygen.
But he also says there is good news and a better way ahead.
“Embracing a circular economy-recycling of metals from old electronics and batteries-and supporting innovations like sodium-ion batteries, which use abundant sodium instead of few minerals, we can meet the demand for technological materials without damaging the planet,” he said. “These solutions not only protect the oceans, but also reduce carbon emissions and create sustainable work.”
Genge says an approach of the circular economy focuses on recycling cobalt, nickel and lithium from used batteries and electronics.
“Companies like Redwood Materials and Li-cycle are already leading the road, recovering these valuable materials and keeping them in circulation,” Genge said. “This reduces the need for soil-based mines and avoids opening another front for destroying the environment in the seabed deep-especially for materials that may not be needed even in the future.”
Alternative technologies and new advances
Rowntree says the development of alternative technologies that reduce or eliminate confidence in these few materials is as critical as providing new sources of supply.
“Instead of continuing the cycle of extracting the most difficult sources to achieve, we also need to build essential ingredients using some of the most abundant materials on Earth,” he said. “This is what we are doing in Niron-developing high high performance, rarely free of performance, through sustainable and scaled processes.”
Genge says there are new advances in sodium-ion battery technology, which uses abundant sodium (think salt) instead of slim lithium, cobalt and nickel. “This is making these batteries more efficient and cost effective,” Genge added.
“Sodium-ion batteries can strengthen electric vehicles, store renewable energy and even replace lithium-ion batteries in some electronics,” Genge said. “This progress not only reduces the demand for mineral minerals mined, but also raises questions about the financial sustainability and environmental risks of deep sea mines, which can have long -term devastating consequences.”
“Industries such as electric vehicles, electronics, energy storage and recycling would benefit greatly from this change,” Genge said. “Improved recycling programs for batteries and electronic waste will recover and reuse materials, while sodium-ion technology would reduce confidence in critical minerals.”
“This approach protects marine ecosystems from destructive mines, reduces carbon emissions, saves resources and creates work on pure recycling and energy,” he said. “By embracing a circular economy and innovative technology, we can meet the demand for critical minerals without damaging the planet.
“Returning it into circulation, we believe that the circular economy is the answer to get all the minerals we need in a more effective and less devastating way,” Genge added.