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In 2013, UK Seabed Resources, a deep-sea mining enterprise, enlisted marine biologist Diva Amon along with other researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa to explore a section of the seafloor within the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. This vast region of international waters spans approximately 2 million square miles in the Pacific Ocean, lying between Hawaii and Mexico.
The Clarion-Clipperton Zone is rich in polymetallic nodules, which are rocky formations the size of potatoes. These nodules contain valuable metals like nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese, which are essential for manufacturing batteries and electric vehicles.
The company aspired to ultimately benefit financially from mining these deposits. However, initial efforts were focused on enhancing understanding of the largely uncharted abyssal ecosystem where these nodules are located, according to Amon.
Employing a remotely operated vehicle outfitted with cameras and lights, Amon began to capture footage of life thriving 2.5 miles beneath the surface.
During one of the early explorations, the robotic sub made a remarkable finding—a creature resembling an anemone, boasting 8-foot-long flowing tentacles, was discovered just two feet above the seabed, attached to a sea sponge clinging to one of the valuable nodules.
Amon experienced a mix of exhilaration and sorrow upon this discovery. She speculated it could be a new species and expressed her grief for the creature’s potential fate. “Here was this incredibly beautiful animal,” she stated. “No one has likely ever seen it before. And they might not ever again. I feel this immense sadness at the potential that this place we have come to survey may be mined and essentially destroyed in the future,” she reflected.
More than ten years later, Amon fears her concerns may soon manifest.
“The Next Gold Rush”
On April 24, President Trump issued an executive order that advocates for deep-sea mining in US and international waters, emphasizing the sector’s potential to enhance both economic growth and national security.
The directive asserts, “These resources are key to strengthening our economy, securing our energy future, and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical minerals.”
In a recent online update, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) characterized this political initiative as a precursor to what they termed “The Next Gold Rush,” highlighting that “Critical minerals are utilized in everything from defense systems and batteries to smartphones and medical devices. Access to these minerals is crucial for the health and resilience of US supply chains.”