Polymetallic Nodules: Resource Potential and Mining Prospects

Abstract

Abstract Deep-sea minerals such as polymetallic nodules have attracted significant interest among stakeholders not only for evaluating their potential as an alternative source of critical metals that are required for various industrial applications including green energy but also in developing technology for their exploitation. There has been a steady increase in the number of contractors having exploration rights over large tracts on the seafloor in the “Area,” and the International Seabed Authority that is mandated with the responsibility of regulating such activities is in the process of preparing a code for exploitation of these deep-sea minerals. This commentary takes a look at the resource potential and mining prospects of polymetallic nodules while addressing the economic and environmental issues associated with them.