Science and Technology
The new race for minerals has already begun — and it’s taking place 4 meters deep. The competition for mineral mining Strategic planning has entered a quiet, yet decisive phase. At the heart of this movement is… China, which targets the ocean floor as an alternative source of copper, nickelCobalt and manganese — essential raw materials for batteries, electric cars, solar panels, and military technologies.
What’s at stake isn’t just a green economy. It’s geopolitical power.
Trillions of polymetallic nodules are scattered across the ocean floor, primarily in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific. These deposits contain volumes comparable to the largest known terrestrial reserves. Controlling this wealth could redefine the global balance in the coming decades.
NASA scientists have identified an essential element for life on the surface of Jupiter’s moon Europa by analyzing new data from the Galileo probe; the discovery indicates recent geological activity and life beyond Earth.
With power plants of up to 40 MW fueled by chicken waste, the Fibrowatt project has transformed tons of poultry litter into enough electricity to power entire cities in the United Kingdom.
Iceland, the island of volcanoes, is becoming a safe haven for the world’s servers by directing approximately 120 MW to Bitcoin mining, restricting the export of physical energy, and transforming renewable electricity into a global digital asset.
900 places available for a free robotics and programming course: an unprecedented opportunity offered by the Federal Institute for those who wish to qualify for the job market and enter the world of technology.
The demand for critical minerals It is projected to more than double by 2040, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). This growth is mainly driven by the energy transition.
Electric vehicle batteries rely heavily on nickel e cobaltElectrical systems and renewable infrastructure require large volumes of copperWind turbines, smart grids, and energy storage are highly dependent on these inputs.
The IEA itself warns:
“The transition to clean energy means a shift from a fuel-intensive system to a mineral-intensive system.”
In the case of ChinaHowever, this dependence is even more pronounced. The country leads the global manufacturing of solar panels, electric vehicles, and batteries. According to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), clean energy industries accounted for 40% of China’s GDP growth last year.
In other words: maintain stable access to minerals It’s a strategic issue.
Despite its industrial strength, China still relies on imports of raw materials from South Africa, Gabon, Australia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Political instability, sanctions, or tensions with rivals, especially the United States, could compromise supply.
It is in this scenario that the deep water mining It emerges as an alternative. By exploring international areas, far from the sovereignty of other countries, Beijing seeks to reduce vulnerabilities.
In 2016, Xi Jinping advocated for the exploration of the ocean’s “hidden treasures,” signaling that the seabed would become part of the long-term national strategy.
Mineral exploration in international waters is regulated by International Seabed Authority (ISA), an agency linked to the UN.
Currently, the organization is still debating the rules for allowing or restricting large-scale commercial mining. Recent meetings held in Jamaica between July 29 and August 2 have divided countries on this issue.
On one side, environmentalists advocate for a total moratorium. On the other, governments and companies are pushing for regulations that would allow for controlled exploration.
China is currently the largest donor to the ISA and has expanded its influence by offering a training facility in Qingdao in 2020. To date, the authority has granted 31 exploration licenses—five of which are under Chinese control, more than any other country.
Among the companies involved are:
Three licenses cover areas in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the eastern Pacific. The other two are in the western Pacific and the Indian Ocean.
A underwater mining This requires robots capable of operating at depths of over 4.000 meters. In July, a team from Shanghai Jiao Tong University tested equipment that collected 200 kg of material at that depth.
State media highlighted the use of domestically produced components, signaling technological independence.
Although countries like Japan and some Western companies have advanced technology, China’s advantage lies in its capacity for large-scale production. The country builds ships, robots, and industrial infrastructure quickly and with strong state support.
If commercial exploitation is authorized, the trend is for China to lead production, driven by its enormous domestic demand for it. copper, nickel and other minerals.
The ocean floor is home to unique ecosystems. Species that live near polymetallic nodules can be severely affected by mining activity.
Plumes of sediment generated by the robots can spread for kilometers, altering habitats and affecting organisms that have not yet been fully cataloged.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) itself warns of significant environmental risks and advocates a preventative approach.
Even under strict regulation, there are significant scientific uncertainties. And the environmental track record of Chinese onshore mining companies generates additional distrust.
The debate is not just about the environment.
There are fears that operations of mining They can serve as a facade for underwater mapping with strategic use. Detailed information about the seabed benefits submarine operations.
In 2021, a research vessel linked to China Minmetals made a detour near Hawaii, where the United States maintains important military bases.
Meanwhile, the US faces another challenge: the country has not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which excludes it from formal decisions within the ISA.
In March, a group of former American officials urged the Senate to ratify the treaty, arguing that the absence of the US directly benefits China in setting global rules.
The dispute is not unique to China.
The Canadian company The Metals Company plans to apply for a business license from the ISA. Its founder, Gerard Barron, has already stated:
“The possibility of China controlling this industry is a very strong motivator.”
The fear of losing strategic ground has mobilized political support in Washington.
The biggest Western concern is clear: who will control the critical minerals, controls the foundation of the clean energy industry.
Today, China already dominates essential stages of the global refining and processing of strategic minerals, according to data from the US Geological Survey (USGS). If it consolidates its presence on the seabed, it will further expand this advantage.
The importance of these minerals for China’s future is often compared to that of oil and gas in the 20th century.
Deepwater mining still depends on definitive regulation. But the political, technological, and industrial activity shows that the competition has already begun.
The seabed has become a strategic frontier. And China wants to be in the lead.
The question remains: is the world prepared for the environmental, economic, and military consequences of this new race for copper, nickel, and other minerals?
What do you think about this dispute over the ocean floor? Leave your comment below and share this article with anyone who follows geopolitics, energy, and mining topics.
At least this mining ⛏️ has something positive about it; it says that the melting ice will cause the oceans to rise about two meters, so this mining ensures the rise in sea level!!
Flavia Marinho is a postgraduate engineer with extensive experience in the onshore and offshore shipbuilding industry. In recent years, she has dedicated herself to writing articles for news websites in the areas of military, security, industry, oil and gas, energy, shipbuilding, geopolitics, jobs, and courses. Contact her at flaviacamil@gmail.com or WhatsApp +55 21 973996379 for corrections, story suggestions, job postings, or advertising proposals on our portal.
© 2026 Click Oil and Gas – All rights reserved
