President Donald Trump’s recent executive order promoting deep sea mining has ignited a contentious debate within the mining industry and environmental circles. The order, issued this summer, seeks to capitalize on the potential mineral wealth contained within polymetallic nodules scattered across the ocean floor. These nodules, which take millennia to form, are rich in minerals such as lithium, cobalt, copper, nickel, manganese, and rare earth elements—all crucial components in technologies ranging from wind turbines and electric vehicles to medical devices and military infrastructure.
However, the push for deep sea mining overlooks the delicate ecosystems that thrive in these extreme environments. Thousands of meters below the surface, where sunlight cannot penetrate, a unique community of marine life has evolved. These creatures, many of which are still undiscovered, rely on the nodules for habitat and sustenance. Scientists warn that mining these nodules could irreparably damage these ecosystems, which have adapted to the harsh conditions of the deep sea over millions of years.
The Trump administration’s decision to evaluate a potential mineral lease sale in the waters offshore American Samoa has drawn criticism from the scientific community. Lisa Levin, an oceanographer at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, emphasizes the importance of these deep sea ecosystems, noting that many species use bioluminescent lights to communicate and have developed specialized breathing structures to survive in oxygen-minimum zones. The deep sea, often referred to as Earth’s last frontier, remains largely unexplored, and the potential consequences of mining activities are not fully understood.
The legal framework governing deep sea mining is also a point of contention. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) sets out the rules for all activities in the oceans and seas, emphasizing the need for international cooperation and the protection of marine resources. However, the Trump administration plans to permit mining in international waters under the antiquated Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act, which predates UNCLOS. This act promotes deep seabed exploration and the development of technology necessary to recover mineral resources but does not adequately address the environmental concerns raised by scientists.
The International Seabed Authority (ISA), the intergovernmental organization responsible for regulating mineral-related activities in the international seabed area, is currently working to finalize a code that would permit commercial mining on the high seas. Leticia Carvalho, the ISA’s Brazilian secretary-general, has stressed the importance of establishing clear rules to prevent a “Wild West” scenario in the deep sea. However, the Trump administration’s unilateral approach threatens to undermine these efforts and set a precedent for other nations to follow.
The push for deep sea mining also raises questions about the long-term demand for these minerals. While lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles currently rely on many of the minerals found in deep sea nodules, technological advancements could reduce or eliminate this dependence. For instance, China has already begun exploring alternative battery compositions that use lithium, iron, and phosphate, which can be mined terrestrially. This shift could significantly reduce the need for deep sea mining in the coming decades.
The debate over deep sea mining highlights the need for a balanced approach that considers both the potential economic benefits and the environmental risks. The mining industry must engage with scientists, policymakers, and environmental organizations to develop sustainable practices that protect these fragile ecosystems while meeting the world’s growing demand for minerals. As stewards of our planet, it is our responsibility to ensure that the exploration and exploitation of the deep sea are conducted in a manner that preserves its biodiversity and ecological integrity for future generations.