Deep-Sea Mining 101
Oct 23, 2025
By Gaia Research Team
Reading time: 13 mins.
Deep-sea mining targets polymetallic nodules rich in nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese—strategic metals for the energy transition. The sector is still pre-commercial and sits in a regulatory limbo: the International Seabed Authority (ISA) has not yet finalized a Mining Code, while global pressure for a moratorium grows on environmental grounds. Supporters argue it could reduce reliance on high-impact terrestrial supply chains, but scientific consensus warns of long-term damage to abyssal ecosystems.
Economically, project valuations are highly sensitive to nickel prices, offshore engineering costs and access to long-term offtake agreements. For investors, listed developers behave like binary options on regulation and geopolitics—high upside if a legal framework unlocks projects, but equally high downside from delays, financing risk and political backlash. In short: strategic but speculative.
Deep-Sea Mining: A New Mineral El Dorado?
Aug 1, 2025
By Zenon Research
Reading time: 4 mins.
In April 2025, Donald Trump signed an executive order authorizing deep-sea mining, sparking international outrage over a practice with an unclear regulatory framework and uncertain environmental impacts.
Disclaimer: This article has been translated from French to English. The French version is available on Zenon Research.