In the Race for Critical Minerals Supply Security, the US is Resuscitating Seafloor Mining Efforts

Technical, economic, and regulatory viability of deep-sea mining is being accelerated.

The United States is intensifying efforts to tap the ocean floor for critical minerals like cobalt, nickel, and manganese, driven by national security and economic imperatives. With global demand for these materials—essential for electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy systems, and defense technologies—projected to surge, the U.S. aims to reduce reliance on foreign supplies, particularly from China, which dominates critical mineral processing.

A recent executive order from the Trump administration signals a bold pivot toward deep-sea mining, raising questions about technology, economics, and the global order.

Extracting minerals from the seafloor, often thousands of meters below the surface, requires cutting-edge technology. Companies like The Metals Company are developing remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to harvest polymetallic nodules—potato-sized deposits rich in critical minerals—found in areas like the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ).

Innovations such as corrosion-resistant alloys and high-strength pipeline systems aim to overcome extreme pressures and environmental challenges associated with deep sea mining. However, these technologies remain largely untested at commercial scale, and concerns linger about sediment plumes and noise pollution disrupting fragile deep-sea ecosystems.

The economic potential is staggering, with estimates suggesting that seabed mining could unlock $20 trillion in resources globally. The CCZ alone holds more cobalt and nickel than all land-based reserves, offering a hedge against supply crunches as demand for clean energy technologies grows. Yet, high initial costs for infrastructure and uncertain mineral prices pose risks.

The U.S. is streamlining permitting and mapping seabed resources to attract private investment, but financial uncertainties and environmental liabilities remain major hurdles. Critics argue that investments in domestic processing or recycling—potentially yielding 564 tons of nickel per hectare on land versus 1.5 tons at sea—may offer a more viable path.

The push for seafloor mining reshapes the global critical minerals landscape. China’s dominance in processing and its advances in deep-sea exploration, including partnerships with nations like the Cook Islands, underscore the geopolitical stakes. The U.S., absent from the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), faces regulatory challenges in international waters governed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The administration’s strategy emphasizes partnerships with allies like Saudi Arabia and expedited exploration in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), aiming to counter China’s influence. However, bypassing ISA regulations risks diplomatic tensions and could label U.S.-mined minerals as “conflict minerals” on global markets.

Is this a really winnable game? Hundreds of scientists and companies like Google have called for a moratorium, citing unknown ecological impacts. Meanwhile, the shift to cobalt-free batteries and recycling could lessen the need for “more” critical minerals supplies in the future. With the ISA aiming for a mining code by the end of 2025, the U.S. faces a critical window to establish itself as a leader in responsible seabed mining—or pursuing this goal in a hostile context.