Deep-sea mining: critical minerals we need, or a gamble with the ocean?
Companies and governments want to scoop metal-rich nodules from the ocean floor to feed the clean-energy and tech boom. Scientists warn we know too little about the deep sea to risk wrecking it.
The summary above is a neutral framing. Below, each side reports the same story in its own words — judge for yourself.
Backers say the seabed holds the nickel, cobalt and rare earths needed for EVs, wind turbines and defence — and that mining them at sea could cut reliance on a few land-based suppliers. The US is moving to fast-track seabed permits.
Researchers warn the deep sea is barely understood: mining plumes could smother life across vast areas, harm threatened sharks and rays, and destroy nodule habitats that take millions of years to form — damage that may be irreversible.