Deep sea mining: What’s the true cost of renewable energies? | DW Documentary

Key Concepts

Deep-sea mining, polymetallic nodules, manganese crusts, sulfides, Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ), International Seabed Authority (ISA), sponsoring states, environmental impact, sediment plumes, green transition, moratorium, recycling, circular economy.

Norway's Deep-Sea Mining Ambitions

• Main Topics and Key Points: Norway is exploring deep-sea mineral resources within its territorial waters, specifically sulfides and manganese crusts, as a potential new industry to replace declining oil and gas. The Norwegian Offshore Directorate has been collecting samples.
• Specific Details, Facts, and Figures: Sulfides contain high copper content (average 29.5% in bulk samples, compared to 1% in terrestrial mines). Manganese crusts contain rare earth minerals, scandium, vanadium, titanium, and high cobalt content. One vessel could potentially produce 4,000 tons of cobalt per year, more than doubling Europe's current production of 2,000 tons.
• Important Examples, Case Studies, or Real-World Applications Discussed: Copper is essential for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and electricity transport. Cobalt is used in batteries.
• Step-by-Step Processes, Methodologies, or Frameworks Explained: Small robots are being developed to scrape off manganese crusts and suck them up to a vessel.
• Key Arguments or Perspectives Presented, with Their Supporting Evidence: Walter Sonius argues that deep-sea mining can utilize existing oil and gas technology and provide a new economic pillar for Norway. He anticipates production by 2033, which is considered fast compared to the 25 years it can take to develop a terrestrial mine in the US.
• Notable Quotes or Significant Statements with Proper Attribution: Walter Sonius: "Our most important industry is seeing its top and will decline. But then we also have this fantastic in my view possibilities with deep sea minerals that can more stand on the shoulders of the oil and gas industry, use the technology and be a new leg to stand on and have new activity."
• Technical Terms, Concepts, or Specialized Vocabulary with Brief Explanations:
  • Sulfides: Mineral deposits formed by volcanic activity, rich in copper and other heavy metals.
  • Manganese Crusts: Polymetallic deposits that precipitate from seawater onto subsea mountains, containing rare earth minerals and cobalt.
  • PDO (Plan for Development and Operation): A field investment decision.
• Logical Connections Between Different Sections and Ideas: The decline of the oil and gas industry motivates the search for alternative resources like deep-sea minerals. Existing oil and gas technology can be adapted for deep-sea mining.
• Any Data, Research Findings, or Statistics Mentioned: Copper content in sulfide samples (29.5%), cobalt production potential (4,000 tons per vessel), manganese crust growth rate (1 cm per million years).

Environmental Concerns and Activism

• Main Topics and Key Points: Scientists and activists express concerns about the environmental impact of deep-sea mining, citing the vulnerability of deep-sea ecosystems and the potential for long-lasting damage.
• Specific Details, Facts, and Figures: Deep-sea organisms live long lives, develop slowly, reproduce slowly, and have limited access to nutrients and light, making them susceptible to disturbance.
• Important Examples, Case Studies, or Real-World Applications Discussed: The lack of knowledge about the deep-sea environment is a major concern.
• Key Arguments or Perspectives Presented, with Their Supporting Evidence: Scientists argue that more foundational science is needed before opening the deep sea to mining. They emphasize the potential for destroying nature for all of humanity.
• Notable Quotes or Significant Statements with Proper Attribution: An unnamed scientist states that the Norwegian government should have conducted more research before considering deep-sea mining.
• Logical Connections Between Different Sections and Ideas: The potential economic benefits of deep-sea mining are weighed against the potential environmental costs.
• Any Data, Research Findings, or Statistics Mentioned: None explicitly mentioned in this section, but the slow growth and reproduction rates of deep-sea organisms are highlighted.

The Clarion Clipperton Zone and The Metals Company

• Main Topics and Key Points: The Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the Pacific Ocean holds the largest reserves of nickel, cobalt, and manganese in the world in the form of manganese nodules. The Metals Company is a leading company in the commercial exploitation of these nodules.
• Specific Details, Facts, and Figures: The CCZ is the size of the European Union. Manganese nodules are found at depths of 4 to 6 km.
• Important Examples, Case Studies, or Real-World Applications Discussed: The Metals Company went public in 2021 to raise funds for deep-sea mining.
• Step-by-Step Processes, Methodologies, or Frameworks Explained: Manganese nodules form by slow precipitation of metals from seawater or sediment.
• Key Arguments or Perspectives Presented, with Their Supporting Evidence: The development of 20 billion tons of nodules is seen as necessary to meet the growing demand for metals. The question is whether it will be regulated properly.
• Technical Terms, Concepts, or Specialized Vocabulary with Brief Explanations:
  • Manganese Nodules: Potato-sized rocks on the seafloor containing nickel, cobalt, manganese, and rare earth elements.
  • Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ): A vast area in the Pacific Ocean with abundant manganese nodules.
• Logical Connections Between Different Sections and Ideas: The global demand for metals drives the interest in exploiting resources in the CCZ.
• Any Data, Research Findings, or Statistics Mentioned: 20 billion tons of nodules in the CCZ.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA)

• Main Topics and Key Points: The International Seabed Authority (ISA) regulates deep-sea mining in international waters. It has granted 31 permits for research but no actual mining.
• Specific Details, Facts, and Figures: The ISA was founded by the United Nations based on the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea. It has 170 members.
• Important Examples, Case Studies, or Real-World Applications Discussed: Private companies need a sponsoring state (a member of the ISA) to apply for exploration licenses. Developing countries were given reserve areas, but Western companies have accessed these areas through developing countries like Nauru and Tonga.
• Key Arguments or Perspectives Presented, with Their Supporting Evidence: The ISA is at a crossroads, facing pressure to finalize mining regulations and open for business.
• Notable Quotes or Significant Statements with Proper Attribution: Pacific Island leaders were told there's an economic opportunity that would be very beneficial for their country.
• Technical Terms, Concepts, or Specialized Vocabulary with Brief Explanations:
  • International Seabed Authority (ISA): The UN body responsible for regulating deep-sea mining in international waters.
  • Sponsoring State: A country that is a member of the ISA and sponsors a company's application for a mining license.
• Logical Connections Between Different Sections and Ideas: The ISA's regulatory framework will determine whether and how deep-sea mining proceeds in international waters.
• Any Data, Research Findings, or Statistics Mentioned: None explicitly mentioned in this section.

Allseas and Deep-Sea Mining Technology

• Main Topics and Key Points: Allseas, an offshore company, has developed the world's first operational deep-sea mining ship, the Hidden Gem, in collaboration with The Metals Company.
• Specific Details, Facts, and Figures: Allseas has experience in heavy construction work at sea, traditionally for oil and gas, now expanding to wind and deep-sea mining.
• Important Examples, Case Studies, or Real-World Applications Discussed: Allseas conducted a field test in the CCZ in 2022, mining manganese nodules on a large scale.
• Step-by-Step Processes, Methodologies, or Frameworks Explained: The collector, a key component of the mining ship, is lowered to the seafloor (4.3 km depth) and uses nozzles to suck up nodules.
• Key Arguments or Perspectives Presented, with Their Supporting Evidence: Allseas emphasizes its technological expertise and its role in advancing the deep-sea mining industry.
• Notable Quotes or Significant Statements with Proper Attribution: Allseas' selling point is how they develop their own technologies.
• Logical Connections Between Different Sections and Ideas: Allseas' technological capabilities are essential for The Metals Company's mining operations.
• Any Data, Research Findings, or Statistics Mentioned: The collector takes 4-5 hours to reach the seafloor. The 2022 test stored more than 3,000 tons of nodules.

Environmental Impact Studies and Concerns

• Main Topics and Key Points: Deep-sea biologists are studying the impact of mining on marine life, focusing on the effects of sediment plumes and the dependence of certain species on manganese nodules.
• Specific Details, Facts, and Figures: Sponges are dependent on nodules as a habitat and play a crucial role in the food web. Sediment plumes can be toxic and disrupt filter feeders.
• Important Examples, Case Studies, or Real-World Applications Discussed: Sabina Golner's research on the effects of a Belgian deep-sea mining company's field test.
• Step-by-Step Processes, Methodologies, or Frameworks Explained: Instruments are used to measure the plume impact from collector tests. Diffusers are designed to minimize the spread of sediment plumes.
• Key Arguments or Perspectives Presented, with Their Supporting Evidence: Scientists emphasize the high biodiversity of nodule fields and the potential for long-term environmental damage.
• Notable Quotes or Significant Statements with Proper Attribution: Sabina Golner: "When you study the deep sea you see so a huge diversity of life that seems so as very strange like aliens but actually it's not them they are the aliens it's us that are the aliens in the deep sea."
• Technical Terms, Concepts, or Specialized Vocabulary with Brief Explanations:
  • Sediment Plume: A cloud of sediment stirred up by mining activities.
  • Filter Feeder: An organism that feeds by filtering particles from water.
• Logical Connections Between Different Sections and Ideas: The potential economic benefits of deep-sea mining are weighed against the potential environmental costs.
• Any Data, Research Findings, or Statistics Mentioned: Initial tests showed that 95% of sediment settles within a few days and a 500m radius.

Opposition and Moratorium Calls

• Main Topics and Key Points: Indigenous groups and environmental organizations like Greenpeace are calling for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, citing concerns about colonial exploitation and environmental damage.
• Specific Details, Facts, and Figures: 32 countries have called for a moratorium or precautionary pause. Companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft have pledged to keep deep-sea metals out of their supply chains.
• Important Examples, Case Studies, or Real-World Applications Discussed: The environmental damage caused by nickel mining in New Caledonia is cited as an example of the negative impacts of terrestrial mining.
• Key Arguments or Perspectives Presented, with Their Supporting Evidence: Opponents argue that deep-sea mining will not replace existing mines but will simply add to the problem. They advocate for a circular economy and reduced consumption.
• Notable Quotes or Significant Statements with Proper Attribution: James Heater from Greenpeace delivers a message to The Metals Company, emphasizing the need to leave the seabed alone.
• Logical Connections Between Different Sections and Ideas: The environmental concerns raised by scientists and activists fuel the call for a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
• Any Data, Research Findings, or Statistics Mentioned: Rainforests need thousands of years to recover from mining. Nodule formation takes millions of years.

Strategic and Economic Considerations

• Main Topics and Key Points: The green transition requires metals, but mining is inherently unsustainable. Recycling and reduced consumption are essential. Europe and the US want strategic independence for these metals, but China dominates processing.
• Specific Details, Facts, and Figures: Mining is never sustainable, whether on land or in the deep sea.
• Important Examples, Case Studies, or Real-World Applications Discussed: The difficulties faced by battery factories in Europe and the slow progress of offshore wind projects illustrate the challenges of the green transition.
• Key Arguments or Perspectives Presented, with Their Supporting Evidence: Deep-sea mining is presented as an alternative to terrestrial mining, but it is not a sustainable solution.
• Logical Connections Between Different Sections and Ideas: The need for metals for the green transition is balanced against the environmental and social costs of mining.
• Any Data, Research Findings, or Statistics Mentioned: None explicitly mentioned in this section.

Uncertain Future and Political Factors

• Main Topics and Key Points: The future of deep-sea mining is uncertain, with regulations still being finalized. The US, which is not a member of the ISA, could potentially proceed with mining independently. Lockheed Martin pulled out of deep-sea mining, possibly due to regulatory delays.
• Specific Details, Facts, and Figures: Allseas has invested hundreds of millions in deep-sea mining.
• Important Examples, Case Studies, or Real-World Applications Discussed: Lockheed Martin's withdrawal from deep-sea mining.
• Key Arguments or Perspectives Presented, with Their Supporting Evidence: Some believe that countries may proceed with deep-sea mining even without ISA regulations.
• Logical Connections Between Different Sections and Ideas: The regulatory uncertainty surrounding deep-sea mining affects investment decisions and the overall viability of the industry.
• Any Data, Research Findings, or Statistics Mentioned: Allseas owns almost 20% of The Metals Company.

Norway's Pause and Global Competition

• Main Topics and Key Points: Norway has postponed its first licensing round for deep-sea mining due to a national budget agreement. This reflects the challenges of the green transition and the competition from countries like China.
• Key Arguments or Perspectives Presented, with Their Supporting Evidence: The postponement highlights the difficulties for democracies to compete with countries that can move more quickly on such projects.
• Logical Connections Between Different Sections and Ideas: The global race for resources and the strategic importance of metals influence the decisions of individual countries regarding deep-sea mining.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The video presents a multifaceted view of deep-sea mining, exploring its potential as a source of critical metals for the green transition while also highlighting significant environmental concerns and regulatory challenges. Norway's ambitions to become a leader in deep-sea mining are contrasted with the opposition from scientists and activists who advocate for a moratorium. The role of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in regulating deep-sea mining in international waters is examined, along with the involvement of companies like The Metals Company and Allseas. The video underscores the need for careful consideration of the environmental impacts and the importance of sustainable practices, recycling, and reduced consumption in addressing the growing demand for metals. The future of deep-sea mining remains uncertain, with political and economic factors playing a crucial role in shaping its development.