Deep-sea mining is unregulated. Some want to forge ahead anyway

Summary

Deep-Sea Mining Unregulated: Push to Proceed Despite Concerns

In the latest episode of NPR's Consider This, titled "Deep-sea mining is unregulated. Some want to forge ahead anyway," host Emily Kwong delves into the contentious debate surrounding the emerging industry of deep-sea mining. Released on August 10, 2025, the episode explores the environmental, scientific, and geopolitical implications of extracting valuable minerals from the ocean’s most unexplored regions.

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Introduction to Deep-Sea Mining

The episode opens with an evocative description of the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a vast area in the Pacific Ocean stretching from Hawaii to Mexico, renowned for its polymetallic nodules—potato-sized lumps rich in metals like nickel and cobalt essential for electric vehicles and other technologies.

Emily Kwong introduces the significance of this region:

"The deep sea contains a lot of metal, especially in this one area, the Clarion Clipperton Zone." [00:00]

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Stakeholders and Their Stakes

The primary actors in the deep-sea mining debate are commercial entities eager to exploit these resources and environmentalists concerned about the potential ecological fallout.

Gerard Barron, CEO of the Canadian startup The Metals Company, represents the commercial side, advocating for the benefits of deep-sea mining:

"They literally sit there like golf balls on a driving range. We can pick those nodules up and turn them into metals at a fraction of the environmental and human impacts compared to land-based mining." [01:03]

Contrastingly, Aman, a Caribbean marine biologist, voices apprehension about the pristine environment being threatened by industrial activities. She emphasizes the necessity of awaiting comprehensive regulations:

"This puts the US at odds with nearly every other country in the world as they wait for the UN's international seabed authority to finalize regulations for everyone." [01:15]

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Regulatory Landscape and Geopolitical Tensions

The episode highlights the regulatory vacuum surrounding deep-sea mining. In April, the Trump administration expedited mining operations by signing an executive order that fast-tracks deep-sea mining in both federal and international waters, including the CCZ. This unilateral move has sparked international disapproval, as it undermines the efforts of over 100 countries striving for a multilateral regulatory framework under the UN's International Seabed Authority (ISA).

Daniel Ackerman underscores the unprecedented nature of the US's actions:

"This is unprecedented and really goes against what more than 100 states have been working towards at the International Seabed Authority and really ultimately goes against multilateralism." [01:48]

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Environmental Impacts and Scientific Concerns

A pivotal segment features an insightful interview with Beth Orcutt, an oceanographer and vice president for research at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. Orcutt articulates the profound environmental risks associated with deep-sea mining.

She explains the delicate balance of deep-sea ecosystems:

"If the US pursues this, is that all actors need to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment. Knowing that we're effectively protecting it requires having good scientific information... And right now we don't have good information to answer those questions." [05:49]

Orcutt discusses findings from test mining sites, revealing the long-term ecological damage:

"Some of the most well-known work is, has looked at sites that had nodules. The nodules were removed kind of like by dredging them out of the way... the available data suggests that it will take decades, if not centuries, if even longer for the nodules and the animals that live on nodules to be able to recover once mining takes place." [07:01]

She further emphasizes the role of deep-sea organisms in broader ecological processes and potential biotechnological discoveries:

"There are new drugs and new biotech products that are being created from marine sponges and other marine organisms. And we're just tapping the surface of what the genetic diversity is in the deep sea." [08:21]

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Scientific Insights: The Mystery of Dark Oxygen

A groundbreaking discovery discussed in the episode is the presence of "dark oxygen" produced by nodules in the deep sea. Research led by Andrew Sweetman reveals that these nodules might generate oxygen without relying on photosynthesis, suggesting unknown biochemical processes.

Beth Orcutt reflects on the implications of this finding:

"The recent discovery that there may be oxygen production on nodule surfaces is really interesting... It highlights that we still have more to understand about how these deep, dark, high pressure, low temperature ecosystems function." [09:53]

This revelation underscores the vast unknowns in deep-sea science and the potential unforeseen consequences of disrupting these ecosystems through mining.

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Conclusion: Weighing Economic Gains Against Environmental Preservation

The episode concludes by juxtaposing the economic allure of accessing vast mineral resources against the irreversible damage that deep-sea mining could inflict on Earth's most enigmatic and least understood environments. The lack of comprehensive scientific data and the premature push for regulatory frameworks amplify the risks, suggesting that the costs may far outweigh the benefits.

Emily Kwong encapsulates the gravity of the situation:

"In the power struggle over who can mine the deep sea, what's at stake for the stability of the planet and a vital zone of the ocean?" [01:59]

The episode serves as a clarion call for cautious deliberation, advocating for robust international cooperation and thorough scientific research before embarking on what could be humanity's most intrusive venture into the deep ocean.

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Key Takeaways

• Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ): A rich area in the Pacific Ocean with vast deposits of polymetallic nodules containing essential metals for modern technology.

• Stakeholder Divide: Commercial interests push for rapid exploitation of deep-sea resources, while scientists and environmentalists warn of long-term ecological damage.

• Regulatory Challenges: The US's unilateral approach contrasts with international efforts to establish multilateral regulations through the ISA.

• Environmental Risks: Deep-sea ecosystems are fragile and recovering from disturbances like mining could take centuries, if not longer.

• Scientific Mysteries: Recent discoveries like dark oxygen production highlight the limited understanding of deep-sea processes, emphasizing the need for more research.

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Notable Quotes

• Gerard Barron: "They literally sit there like golf balls on a driving range. We can pick those nodules up and turn them into metals at a fraction of the environmental and human impacts compared to land-based mining." [01:03]

• Beth Orcutt: "If the US pursues this, is that all actors need to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment... And right now we don't have good information to answer those questions." [05:49]

• Beth Orcutt: "The available data suggests that it will take decades, if not centuries, if even longer for the nodules and the animals that live on nodules to be able to recover once mining takes place." [07:53]

• Beth Orcutt: "The recent discovery that there may be oxygen production on nodule surfaces is really interesting... It highlights that we still have more to understand about how these deep, dark, high pressure, low temperature ecosystems function." [09:53]

• Emily Kwong: "In the power struggle over who can mine the deep sea, what's at stake for the stability of the planet and a vital zone of the ocean?" [01:59]

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Further Listening

For those interested in exploring more about ocean science, NPR recommends checking out Shorewave, their dedicated science podcast, and the new series Sea Camp.

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Produced by Katherine Fink, Edited by Beat Ermias, and Executive Produced by Sami Yenigun, this episode of Consider This provides a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the uncharted waters of deep-sea mining.

Transcript

[Emily Kwong]

This is a story about the pen of a president and potato sized rocks that begins in the deep sea. The deep sea contains a lot of metal, especially in this one area, the Clarion Clipperton Zone.

[Daniel Ackerman]

This is an area that stretches from Hawaii to about Mexico in international waters. So an enormous ocean space diva.

[Emily Kwong]

Aman is a Caribbean marine biologist and she is worried about the fact that this pristine environment has caught the attention of commercial industries. Because this area contains billions of tons of what are known as polymetallic nodules.

[Daniel Ackerman]

There are these cherry to potato sized lumps of metal, if you will, that sit on top of the sediment that.

[Emily Kwong]

Also contains something the electric vehicle and other industries want. Rare earth minerals like nickel and cobalt. Gerard Barron, the CEO of the Canadian startup the Metals Company, wants to be the first to mine these nodules for commercial use. Barron spoke to reporter Daniel Ackerman for NPR earlier this year.

[Gerard Barron]

They literally sit there like golf balls on a driving range. We can pick those nodules up and turn them into metals at a fraction of the environmental and human impacts compared to land based mining.

[Emily Kwong]

But is that true? Is deep sea mining really that harmless? The Trump administration thinks so. In April, President Trump gave companies like the metals company an opening. He signed an executive order to fast track deep sea mining in both federal and international waters, which includes the Clarion Clipperton zone. But Aman, the biologist you heard earlier, says this puts the US at odds with nearly every other country in the world as they wait for the UN's international seabed authority to finalize regulations for everyone.

[Daniel Ackerman]

This is unprecedented and really goes against what more than 100 states have been working towards at the International Seabed Authority and really ultimately goes against multilateralism.

[Emily Kwong]

Consider this in the power struggle over who can mine the deep sea, what's at stake for the stability of the planet and a vital zone of the ocean? From npr, I'm Emily Kwong.

[Beth Orcutt]

This message comes from Capital One with the Capital One Saver card or earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment. Capital One. What's in your wallet? Terms apply [e-mail] this message comes from Carvana. Selling your car shouldn't take all day. With Carvana, it doesn't get a great offer in no time, then choose to drop off or pick up and get paid on the spot. Sell your car today on Carvana.com pickup fees may apply.

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[Emily Kwong]

It's consider this from NPR. The Trump administration announced this past week that it has entered talks with the Cook Islands to research and develop seabed mineral resources. The Polynesian archipelago is one of only a handful of countries worldwide that has begun permitting this type of exploration called deep sea mining. Now, deep sea mining is not regulated. There's no blueprint for how to do it safely nor responsibly, which is why for the Last decade, the UN's International Seabed Authority has worked to draw up regulations. But President Trump and one Canadian company have posed a why wait? Here to tell us more is Beth Orcutt. She's an oceanographer and the vice president for research at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Booth Bay, Maine. Beth, welcome.

[Beth Orcutt]

Thank you for having me.

[Interviewer]

I want to start by descending in an imaginary submarine to travel to the deep sea. Where is this part of the ocean? What does it look like, and what lives there?

[Beth Orcutt]

The deep sea is a fascinating place to get to explore. I feel so lucky to have been able to go down to the deep sea and other parts of the Pacific Ocean. When you first get in the submarine or use a robot, you go through the sunlit ocean, you see fish, you see sharks, you see stuff like that. But then you start to descend into the twilight zone and then into the part of the ocean that becomes completely dark. No sunlight gets down there. And you start seeing life that communicates with light. They flash bioluminescence at each other to either attract prey or warn off things. And then eventually you reach the bottom. And it feels, I think, like going to another planet might feel like it's a totally crazy, exciting world full of interesting animals and interesting processes. I mean, really, it's stuff that sci fi is built from.

[Interviewer]

So the International Seabed Authority does not have a permitting process for mining in international waters yet they keep saying they're going to create one. They keep pushing back the deadline, wanting more science to be done before really defining those regulations. And the company at the center of this debate, the metals company, has basically said, look, we're tired of waiting. CEO Gerard Barron defends applying for a US Permit. What do you make of the US striking out alone like this as a scientist who studies the deep sea?

[Beth Orcutt]

Yeah. So as a scientist, the concerns I've raised at the International Seabed Authority and that I've also would raise in this context, if the US pursues this, is that all actors need to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment. Knowing that we're effectively protecting it requires having good scientific information in terms of what's the natural variability of the systems, how do they function, how do they respond to perturbation, can you fix it if you mess it up? And right now we don't have good information to answer those questions. And so it makes our ability to ensure effective protection very difficult, no matter who is the regulator, whether it's the United States or the international body. And importantly, there are different steps. There's the exploration stage and then the exploitation stage. And between those two, companies should do what's called test mining and look at the environmental impact of those tests.

[Interviewer]

Has anything been revealed from your research on how microscopic life in the deep sea thrives in this very dark, very extreme environment and how deep sea mining might impact that life?

[Beth Orcutt]

There is a lot of scientific information from not just me, but many of my colleagues. So some of the most well known work is, has looked at sites that had nodules. The nodules were removed kind of like by dredging them out of the way. And another team of scientists went back decades later and not only had animals not come back to those environments, that especially the animals that attach to rocks, but even the microbes that can grow much faster were still not there. They were still much lower in concentration and the processes that they perform were still lower. And so the available data suggests that it will take decades, if not centuries, if even longer for the nodules and the animals that live on nodules to be able to recover once mining takes place.

[Interviewer]

These nodules are of course, small rock like lumps on the ocean floor that contain the minerals that are wanted for these products.

[Beth Orcutt]

Yeah, correct. Yeah. So these are kind of like potato sized black pieces of rock. They're mostly manganese oxide, but they co precipitate other metals. And that's what the interest is in those nodules is the other metals that are co precipitated.

[Interviewer]

Why does it matter that in these test mining sites the animals aren't coming back?

[Beth Orcutt]

So most of the animals in those environments attach to the rocks. Those are things like deep sea corals, sponges, deep sea anemone. And they provide habitat for all other kinds of life. And there are animals that dive to the depths of the ocean to get food. So they're performing very essential services to supporting those ecosystems. There are also potentially reservoirs of genetic discovery. Right now. There are new drugs and new biotech products that are being created from marine sponges and other marine organisms. And we're just tapping the surface of what the genetic diversity is in the deep sea. So there could potentially be new solutions that come from the diversity of life that's down there.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, I mean, the, the deep sea is such a mysterious place in a lot of respects. Scientists have mapped less than 25% of the deep sea floor, I believe. And just, just like you're saying, new discoveries are being made all the time. And you're making me think about some research that an international team led by Andrew Sweetman discovered recently that those nodules, these lumps on the ocean floor, that they, at least in the area that he was studying, were producing oxygen, no photosynthesis required, and they called it dark oxygen. What do you make of the discovery of dark oxygen within these nodules? And why is that important to the conversation around deep sea mining and pulling them up?

[Beth Orcutt]

Yeah, the recent discovery that there may be oxygen production on nodule surfaces is really interesting in the first, showing what we maybe don't know about how these ecosystems function and that there's whole new processes that might be occurring down in the deep sea that we haven't seen before. If that process is occurring and there needs to be more research to really document it, that means that there could be extra energy sources for microbes that live in those environments. That might also mean that they're giving off different chemical cues to the animals to figure out, hey, come sit here on this nodule. Maybe we don't know. And so it highlights that we still have more to understand about how these deep, dark, high pressure, low temperature ecosystems function. And while it may be mysterious to us, it's important to remember that this is the majority of the Earth. Right? The oceans cover so much of our planet, which means so much of our planet is the deep sea. And so if we don't even know these very basic questions, we really just have so much to discover.

[Interviewer]

Beth Orkut is an oceanographer and the vice president for research at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Booth Bay, Maine. Thanks so much, Beth.

[Beth Orcutt]

Thank you so much.

[Interviewer]

For more ocean science, check out Shorewave, the science podcast from npr, and especially our new series, Sea Camp.

[Emily Kwong]

This episode was produced by Katherine Fink. It was edited by 10 beat ermias. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun. It's consider this from npr. I'm Emily Kwong.

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