Exploration for deep-sea minerals in the Clarion Clipperton Zone threatens to disrupt an unexpectedly rich ecosystem of whales and dolphins. New studies have detected endangered species in the area ...

A new report reveals the results of a study exploring biodiversity in a region targeted for seabed mining—capturing baseline data, tracking natural changes and assessing the impacts of a polymetallic ...

Scientific studies show substantial reductions in deep-sea biodiversity following mining tests, with impacts potentially lasting decades. Governments are split between environmental caution and the ...

Deep-sea mining promises critical minerals for the energy transition without the problems of mining on land. It also promises to bring wealth to developing nations. But the evidence suggests these ...

WASHINGTON, Jan 21 (Reuters) - The Trump administration is pressing ahead on Wednesday with an effort to encourage U.S. exploration of the deep sea by accelerating permitting for companies hunting for ...

On January 21, 2026, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) published a final rule consolidating the process for U.S. companies to obtain exploration licenses and permits for ...

Gathering minerals such as nickel, cobalt, manganese and lithium from the seabed could affect everything from sponges to whales. The long-term effects of these extractions remain uncertain Amber X.

A version of this story was originally published by the Pulitzer Center, which supported Elizabeth Claire Alberts as an Ocean Reporting Network fellow. We didn’t set out to investigate China’s ...

Commercial deep-sea mining hasn’t yet begun, but it soon could — with the potential to reshape vast stretches of the ocean as companies move to extract minerals from the seafloor. However, this ...

The deep sea mining landscape has seen significant activity across multiple fronts in the first quarter of 2026. This briefing summarizes recent key developments at the international level and among ...