Jeffrey A. Newman
Many rare earth minerals have been found on the ocean floor including yttrium, lanthanum, cerium and neodymium and other rare earth elements are found embedded within polymetallic nodules, cobalt rich crusts and hydrothermal vent deposits. These are critical for electronics, renewable energy technologies and defense applications. In addition there are significant reserves of copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, silver, gold and other key rare earth elements.
According to recent reports, the more promising mineral deposits are located on the seafloor abyssmal plans in international waters. On area that is being examined is the Calrion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean which has 17 deep sea mining contractors covering 1 million square kilometers.
Present Estimates show that the global demand for nickel, cobalt and rare earth minerals is expected to double by 2040.
Hydrothermal vents in the Manus Basin (Papua New Guinea) and Mid-Atlantic Ridge yield polymetallic sulfides with copper, gold, and silver.
The Cook Islands contains the world’s fourth largest deposit in the South Penrhyn basin close to the Manihiki Plateau.
Here are three major companies that are engaged in ocean mining for these minerals.
The President signed an executive order calling for the mining of the deep sea.It instructs the U.S. to rapidly develop its ability to collect and process minerals from the seafloor, saying they are crucial for infrastructure, advanced defense energy systems and manufacturing. The decree covers mining within U.S. waters, in international waters and in partnerships with countries that are mining the seafloor in their own territories. The president added that stockpiling minerals for defense is vital for the future security of the nation, arguing that without action, China will dominate the deep-sea mining industry and the minerals it produces.
Major Companies Mining the Ocean Floor for Rare Earth and Critical Minerals
Several companies are actively pursuing or preparing for deep-sea mining operations to extract rare earth elements and other minerals critical to the United States. These operations are primarily focused on polymetallic nodules, polymetallic sulfides, and cobalt-rich crusts, which contain valuable metals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, and rare earth elements.
Key Companies and Their Operations
| Company Name | Country/Region | Type of Operation | Target Minerals | Current Status/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Metals Company (TMC) | Canada/International | Polymetallic nodule collection (Clarion-Clipperton Zone, Pacific Ocean) | Nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese | Leading in technology and exploration; seeking U.S. permits; has tested full-scale mining systems; partnered with Pacific island nations for ISA contracts145. |
| Global Sea Mineral Resources (GSR) | Belgium/International | Polymetallic nodule collection (CCZ) | Nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese | Subsidiary of DEME Group; advanced exploration and collector testing in the CCZ1. |
| Moana Minerals | Cook Islands | Polymetallic nodule exploration (Cook Islands EEZ) | Cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese | Holds exploration licenses in Cook Islands; production expected around 2027/281. |
| Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (CSR) | Cook Islands | Polymetallic nodule exploration (Cook Islands EEZ) | Cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese | Government-backed; high-grade license areas1. |
| China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA) | China/International | Polymetallic nodule and sulfide exploration | Nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, rare earths | State-backed, holds multiple international licenses1. |
Types of Deep-Sea Mining Operations
- Polymetallic Nodule Collection: Most companies focus on harvesting potato-sized nodules from the seafloor, especially in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean. These nodules are rich in nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese. Mining vehicles use suction devices to collect nodules and transport them to surface vessels for processing37.
- Polymetallic Sulfide Mining: Some operations target metal-rich sulfide deposits around hydrothermal vents, extracting copper, gold, silver, and zinc. This method is less common but under exploration in certain regions37.
- Cobalt-Rich Crust Mining: Mining cobalt-rich crusts on underwater mountains (seamounts) is also being explored, particularly in the Western Pacific and U.S. territorial waters7.
U.S. Involvement and Regulatory Status
- The U.S. has not yet commenced commercial deep-sea mining, but recent executive orders and legislative actions are aimed at accelerating permit processes for U.S. companies to mine both within U.S. waters and in international areas, especially for minerals critical to national security and clean energy26.
- The Metals Company is the most notable firm actively seeking U.S. permits for deep-sea mining, aiming to bypass some international regulatory hurdles by operating under the U.S. Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act45.
- The International Seabed Authority (ISA) regulates most international deep-sea mining activities, but the U.S. has not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), creating a unique regulatory situation for American companies47.
Major Companies Mining the Ocean Floor for Rare Earth and Critical Minerals
Several companies are actively pursuing or preparing for deep-sea mining operations to extract rare earth elements and other minerals critical to the United States. These operations are primarily focused on polymetallic nodules, polymetallic sulfides, and cobalt-rich crusts, which contain valuable metals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, and rare earth elements.
Key Companies and Their Operations
| Company Name | Country/Region | Type of Operation | Target Minerals | Current Status/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Metals Company (TMC) | Canada/International | Polymetallic nodule collection (Clarion-Clipperton Zone, Pacific Ocean) | Nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese | Leading in technology and exploration; seeking U.S. permits; has tested full-scale mining systems; partnered with Pacific island nations for ISA contracts145. |
| Global Sea Mineral Resources (GSR) | Belgium/International | Polymetallic nodule collection (CCZ) | Nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese | Subsidiary of DEME Group; advanced exploration and collector testing in the CCZ1. |
| Moana Minerals | Cook Islands | Polymetallic nodule exploration (Cook Islands EEZ) | Cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese | Holds exploration licenses in Cook Islands; production expected around 2027/281. |
| Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (CSR) | Cook Islands | Polymetallic nodule exploration (Cook Islands EEZ) | Cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese | Government-backed; high-grade license areas1. |
| China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA) | China/International | Polymetallic nodule and sulfide exploration | Nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, rare earths | State-backed, holds multiple international licenses1. |
Types of Deep-Sea Mining Operations
- Polymetallic Nodule Collection: Most companies focus on harvesting potato-sized nodules from the seafloor, especially in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean. These nodules are rich in nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese. Mining vehicles use suction devices to collect nodules and transport them to surface vessels for processing37.
- Polymetallic Sulfide Mining: Some operations target metal-rich sulfide deposits around hydrothermal vents, extracting copper, gold, silver, and zinc. This method is less common but under exploration in certain regions37.
- Cobalt-Rich Crust Mining: Mining cobalt-rich crusts on underwater mountains (seamounts) is also being explored, particularly in the Western Pacific and U.S. territorial waters7.
U.S. Involvement and Regulatory Status
- The U.S. has not yet commenced commercial deep-sea mining, but recent executive orders and legislative actions are aimed at accelerating permit processes for U.S. companies to mine both within U.S. waters and in international areas, especially for minerals critical to national security and clean energy26.
- The Metals Company is the most notable firm actively seeking U.S. permits for deep-sea mining, aiming to bypass some international regulatory hurdles by operating under the U.S. Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act45.
- The International Seabed Authority (ISA) regulates most international deep-sea mining activities, but the U.S. has not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), creating a unique regulatory situation for American companies47.
Major Companies Mining the Ocean Floor for Rare Earth and Critical Minerals
Several companies are actively pursuing or preparing for deep-sea mining operations to extract rare earth elements and other minerals critical to the United States. These operations are primarily focused on polymetallic nodules, polymetallic sulfides, and cobalt-rich crusts, which contain valuable metals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, and rare earth elements.
Key Companies and Their Operations
| Company Name | Country/Region | Type of Operation | Target Minerals | Current Status/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Metals Company (TMC) | Canada/International | Polymetallic nodule collection (Clarion-Clipperton Zone, Pacific Ocean) | Nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese | Leading in technology and exploration; seeking U.S. permits; has tested full-scale mining systems; partnered with Pacific island nations for ISA contracts145. |
| Global Sea Mineral Resources (GSR) | Belgium/International | Polymetallic nodule collection (CCZ) | Nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese | Subsidiary of DEME Group; advanced exploration and collector testing in the CCZ1. |
| Moana Minerals | Cook Islands | Polymetallic nodule exploration (Cook Islands EEZ) | Cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese | Holds exploration licenses in Cook Islands; production expected around 2027/281. |
| Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (CSR) | Cook Islands | Polymetallic nodule exploration (Cook Islands EEZ) | Cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese | Government-backed; high-grade license areas1. |
| China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA) | China/International | Polymetallic nodule and sulfide exploration | Nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, rare earths | State-backed, holds multiple international licenses1. |
Types of Deep-Sea Mining Operations
- Polymetallic Nodule Collection: Most companies focus on harvesting potato-sized nodules from the seafloor, especially in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean. These nodules are rich in nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese. Mining vehicles use suction devices to collect nodules and transport them to surface vessels for processing37.
- Polymetallic Sulfide Mining: Some operations target metal-rich sulfide deposits around hydrothermal vents, extracting copper, gold, silver, and zinc. This method is less common but under exploration in certain regions37.
- Cobalt-Rich Crust Mining: Mining cobalt-rich crusts on underwater mountains (seamounts) is also being explored, particularly in the Western Pacific and U.S. territorial waters7.
U.S. Involvement and Regulatory Status
- The U.S. has not yet commenced commercial deep-sea mining, but recent executive orders and legislative actions are aimed at accelerating permit processes for U.S. companies to mine both within U.S. waters and in international areas, especially for minerals critical to national security and clean energy26.
- The Metals Company is the most notable firm actively seeking U.S. permits for deep-sea mining, aiming to bypass some international regulatory hurdles by operating under the U.S. Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act45.
- The International Seabed Authority (ISA) regulates most international deep-sea mining activities, but the U.S. has not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), creating a unique regulatory situation for American companies47.
The Metals Company is currently the most advanced and prominent player seeking to mine the ocean floor for minerals needed by the United States, focusing on polymetallic nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone using advanced suction and collection systems145.
Other major companies include GSR, Moana Minerals, CSR, and COMRA, all operating in various international jurisdictions with a focus on similar mineral targets and extraction techniques1.
Jeffrey Newman is a whistleblower lawyer representing individuals in False Claims Act (Qui Tam) cases with a focus on Medicare or Medicaid fraud but is also a frequent writer on issues relating to the world economy. He can be reached at Jeff@JeffNewmanLaw.com or at 617-823-3217
