News in numbers


Deep-sea mining 3 billion


The amount, in tonnes, of minerals and metals that will be required to create the wind, solar and geothermal power needed to avoid 2°C


of global warming. Source: World Bank


By 2040 40% 60% 90%


17.5 15


12.5 10 7.5 5


2.5 0


Source: Statista 0.65 2020 2030 168


The potential rise in demand for copper and rare earth elements.


Deep-sea mining is the process of retrieving mineral deposits from the ocean below 200m, otherwise known as the deep seabed, which covers about 65%


of the Earth’s surface. Source: The Economist


Number of member states, plus the EU, in the International Seabed Authority (ISA) Assembly.


As of January 2023, the ISA has issued permits and entered into 31 contracts for exploration for polymetallic nodules (PMN), polymetallic sulphides (PFS)


and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts (CRC) in the deep-seabed with 21 contractors.


The increase in demand for nickel and cobalt.


The rise in demand for lithium. Source for all above: International Energy Agency


Market value of deep-sea mining technologies worldwide in 2020, with a forecast for 2030 (in billions of US dollars)


15.3


19 18


7 7


6 5


Contracts for exploration for polymetallic nodules in the Clarion- Clipperton Fracture Zone, Indian Ocean and Western Pacifi c Ocean.


Contracts for exploration for polymetallic sulphides in the South West Indian Ridge, Central Indian Ridge and the Mid- Atlantic Ridge.


Contracts for exploration for cobalt-rich crusts in the Western Pacifi c Ocean and the South West Atlantic.


The number of these contracts that are held by just seven countries – China (5), Russia (4), South Korea (3) France (2), India (2), Germany (1) and Japan (1).


The number of remaining contracts that are held by three private companies – The Metals Company, UK Seabed Resources and Global Sea Mineral Resources.


Source: International Seabed Authority


World Mining Frontiers / www.nsenergybusiness.com


Market value in billions of US dollars


Manovector/Shutterstock.com


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