News Oceans

Deep-sea mining could start soon — before we understand its risks

The U.S. push to mine international waters for metals may harm crucial ecosystems

A photograph of a company launching equipment to test mining of polymetallic nodules from the seafloor.

The Metals Company prepares to launch a pilot collector vehicle in 2022 to conduct a deep-water test for mining polymetallic nodules from the seafloor. Hundreds of such collectors could potentially be deployed concurrently.

The Metals Company

By Carolyn Gramling

An underwater gold rush may be on the horizon — or rather, a rush to mine the seafloor for manganese, nickel, cobalt and other minerals used in electric vehicles, solar panels and more.