India commits $8.8bn to deep-sea oil & gas exploration to cut Mideast reliance

Good news!

"... The initiative is designed to attract international corporations by providing financial subsidies for drilling operations. By opening up three offshore marine regions that were previously restricted from such activities, New Delhi hopes to significantly bolster its domestic hydrocarbon resource base and secure its energy future. ..."

India commits $8.8bn to deep-sea oil exploration to cut Mideast reliance - Nikkei Asia (behind paywall) "Government aims to attract foreign companies with subsidies for drilling"

India Pledges $8.8 Billion for Deep-Water Oil Drilling to Reduce Foreign Energy Reliance

Japan attempts to mine rare earths from Pacific seabed in drilling test

Good news! Rare earths are not rare!

"... The Japanese scientific drilling vessel, Chikyu, completed a month-long mission in February near Minamitori Island, about 1,900 kilometres southeast of Tokyo, marking the world's first successful attempt to continuously lift rare-earth-bearing seabed mud from depths of around six kilometres. ..."

Japan pulls rare earths from Pacific seabed in drilling test - Nikkei Asia (behind paywall) "Move marks potential step to reduce reliance on China-centric supply chain"

Japan to test rare-earth mining 6km underwater "Japan is seeking to curb dependence on China for the valuable minerals used in an array of high-tech products from missiles to wind turbines."

Japan finds high rare earth concentration in deepsea Pacific mud

Location of Minamitori Island (in red circle)Telim tor

Japan Launches World’s First Deep-Sea Rare Earth Mining Test at a depth of about four miles

Good news!

"“Japan has launched the world’s first test to extract rare earth elements from deep-sea mud, aiming to reduce its reliance on Chinese supplies amid rising geopolitical and trade tensions.

Chikyu, a government-backed Japanese mining vessel set sail on Monday for waters near Minamitori Island, a remote coral atoll in the Pacific, to study seabed mud rich in rare earth elements at a depth of about four miles. If successful, the project would mark the first sustained attempt globally to lift rare-earth-bearing sludge from the ocean floor directly onto a ship.”"

Japan Launches World’s First Deep-Sea Rare Earth Mining Test - Human Progress

Japan launches world’s first deep-sea rare earth mining test

Japan to test rare-earth mining from deep seabed mud

The deep-sea drilling vessel Chikyu

As deep-sea mining race ramps up, mission will assess whether ecosystems recover afterward. Really!

Alarmism and hysteria! This has been researched multiple times in the past since about the 1970s/1980s, e.g. Norway offshore drilling of crude oil, mining of deep-sea polymetallic nodules, Great Barrier Reef etc.

Yes, these ecosystems do recover over time!

As deep-sea mining race ramps up, mission will assess whether ecosystems recover afterward | Science | AAAS "A new series of research cruises will study rare abyssal species in areas slated for mining"

Maersk Viking: The Impossible Process Of Drilling 7,000 Feet Underwater

One of the world's most advanced drill ships builds an oil well more than 2,000 metres below the waterline in the Gulf of Mexico. Video too long; did not watch!

The video is possibly outdated since Maersk Drilling merged with Noble in 2022.

Whales and dolphins discovered in proposed deep-sea mining zone between Hawaii and Mexico. Really!

So what! We can manage to do minging without doing much harm to the environment and fauna.

Apparently, some areas of this special deep sea zone are already protected (see e.g. chart below)!

Note also the speculative nature of the research article.

"Plans to mine the ocean floor in one of the most remote stretches of the Pacific are facing renewed scrutiny, following the discovery of whales and dolphins — including an endangered sperm whale — in the area.

The Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a vast abyssal plain stretching between Hawaii and Mexico, has long been targeted by mining companies for its rich deposits of polymetallic nodules. ...

Now, two new studies suggest the deep-sea ecosystems in the CCZ may be far more biologically complex — and vulnerable — than previously thought. ..."

"Deep-sea mining in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean could harm ocean life including whales and dolphins, new research shows. ..."

From the highlights and abstract:

"Highlights

• Noise from deep-sea mining is expected to ensonify the water column and compromise nearby reference zones

• The majority of taxa have not been studied for noise sensitivity, leaving critical knowledge gaps [???]

• Soniferous fish, key to deep-sea soundscapes, may face elevated risks from noise pollution

• Data sharing on mining noise is essential for risk management and mitigation

Abstract

Deep-sea mining activities in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), Pacific Ocean, are expected to generate continuous noise pollution across multiple depth zones, with potential impacts on biodiversity. Impact studies have primarily focused on sediment plumes and habitat destruction, leaving consequences of industrial-scale deep-sea mining noise largely unexplored.

Many marine taxa, including invertebrates, fish, and mammals, rely on sound for communication, navigation, and predator avoidance. Our systematic literature review highlights that noise sensitivity is widespread across taxa, yet only 35 % of taxonomic classes known in the CCZ have been studied for noise impacts. Soniferous fish, which rely on acoustic communication, are particularly vulnerable to noise. Chronic exposure to mining noise may have [???] cascading ecological consequences, disrupting key behaviors and physiological processes in an environment characterized by low anthropogenic stressors.

By identifying knowledge gaps and quantifying taxa likely to be vulnerable to industrial noise, this review provides the foundation to guide evidence-based management required to safeguard deep-sea ecosystems.

Given the uncertainty surrounding deep-sea biotic responses to prolonged noise exposure, we emphasize the urgent need for a transparent transfer of knowledge on noise characteristics of deep-sea mining. These data are essential for assessing risks from mining noise to species, communities, and ecosystem functions and services."

Latest science news for 3 July 2025

Whales and dolphins discovered in proposed deep-sea mining zone

 

Deep-sea mining could harm remote ocean ecosystems (original news release)

The Metals Company acquires third seabed contract area to explore for polymetallic nodules

Noise from deep-sea mining in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, Pacific Ocean will impact a broad range of marine taxa (no public access)

Source

We don’t need deep-sea mining, or its environmental harms. Here’s why. Really!

A manifest of a bunch of nutty professors (globalism, environmentalism) in alarmism and hysteria! Of course, thes professors also exploit the indigenous people for their propaganda and demagoguery.

Finally, after several decades being fairly limited deep sea mining, humans will be able to do commercially viable deep sea mining on a larger scale with current, more advanced technologies like robotics.

Human ingenuity will provide the means to make deep sea mining as harmless as is possible.

Since about 1947, humans were able to drill for crude oil using offshore  drilling rigs without major, lasting environmental impact. Since then many such oil rigs came online.

"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 promises are false, and mining would harm the environment. ...

The best course of action is a ban on international seabed mining, building on the coalition for a moratorium. ..."

We don’t need deep-sea mining, or its environmental harms. Here’s why

Japan to begin extracting deep-sea rare earths next year

Good news! Rare earth metals are not rare! China has only quasi monopolized the processing of rare earth metals.

"Japan will extract rare earth minerals from an offshore deposit in a first-of-its-kind pilot project that will begin January next year, Nikkei has learned.

The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) will station the Chikyu, a deep-sea scientific drilling vessel, 100 to 150 kilometers from the coast of Minami-Torishima Island, a coral atoll about 1,950 km southeast of Tokyo. ..."

Japan to begin extracting deep-sea rare earths next year - Nikkei Asia "First-of-its-kind project to tap world's 3rd-largest reserve of rare earth minerals"

The exploration vessel Chikyu will lower a pipe 5,500 meters below the ocean's surface to extract rare earths.

Trump administration may sell deep-sea mining leases at Impossible Metals startup’s urging

Good news! Nothing is impossible!

"The U.S. Department of the Interior said Tuesday that it’s beginning the process of selling deep-sea mining leases after a request from startup Impossible Metals (previously Impossible Mining). ..."

Trump administration may sell deep-sea mining leases at startup’s urging | TechCrunch

Impossible Metals Applies for Deep Sea Mining Lease in U.S. Federal Waters

Trump executive order to expand US deep-sea mining condemned by China

Good news! As usual, environmental concerns are totally exaggerated! Human ingenuity takes care of that!

Inside the Race to Mine $92 Billion Worth of Deep Sea Minerals

Very recommendable! The environmental concerns are as usual overblown!

U.S. fails to ratify ocean mining treaty; other countries rush toward underwater riches

Recommendable! However, whether it is indeed in the best interest for the U.S. to sign this international treaty is no said. Why could the U.S. not exploit deep see mining on its own?

This video seems to be targeting the Heritage Foundation for slander!

India Seeks More Deep-sea Mining Licenses to Edge China with Palki Sharma

India is getting ready to exploit the natural resources on the ocean floors. Russia and China do the same! Only the stupid West is waiting! Environmental concerns are, as in so many other cases, most likely overblown!

Latest, two deep sea mining licenses areas

Government program

Research submersible

The ocean floor is rich in critical minerals, but getting them to the surface is no easy feat

We have been saying this for over 40 years or more! When are we finally starting to mine! Get to work! Drill baby drill!

The ocean floor is rich in critical minerals, but getting them to the surface is no easy feat | Just The News The nodules at the bottom of the ocean, according to the Metals Company, do not contain toxic levels of heavy elements, as land ores do. Nearly the entire mass of the nodule contains usable minerals. The resulting strategic minerals can be processed with less environmental impact.

Norway to Extract Precious Metals From Seabed in World First with Palki Sharma

Very recommendable! This has only been talked about for several decades! As usual, the environmental concerns are wildly exaggerated!

Mud plumes from deep-sea mining could stress out jellyfish. Really!

Alarmism and hysteria! Can you imagine the horrors for these creatures of the sea!

Perhaps jellyfish can just move away a short distance!

This research is only based on simulation!

How easy is it to prevent these plumes from forming?

Mud plumes from deep-sea mining could stress out jellyfish The marine critters produced more mucus and expressed genes indicating tissue damage when exposed to suspended sediments

Experimental mining plumes and ocean warming trigger stress in a deep pelagic jellyfish

Fig. 4: Illustrated health rating based on the amount of sediment aggregated on the bell and mucus produced.

Mining metals and minerals from seawater

Certainly an interesting idea! However, one day we may very well discover the significant negative impact this could have on fauna and flora of the oceans.

I would guess and bet, that sea floor mining is less harmful!

"The modern world runs on electronic devices and energy systems that are powered by valuable elements, such as lithium and uranium. There are a limited number of terrestrial mines that produce energy-critical elements, which makes the supply of these materials prone to disruption. So researchers are looking to an unconventional source: seawater. Almost every element on the periodic table can be found in global oceans—but most are dissolved in ultralow concentrations. In this episode of Stereo Chemistry, we hear from scientists in the US and European Union about why they’re interested in extracting metals and minerals from seawater and how they’re using chemistry to do it."

Podcast: Mining metals and minerals from seawater ... dives into the science behind extracting energy-critical elements from the ocean

Deep-sea mining could soon be approved — how bad is it? Really!

Deep sea mining is most likely a necessity going forward! Despite several decades of deep sea mining, this business is still very much in its infancy.

Let's not forget the ocean floors are vast and gigantic. Thus, deep sea mining is probably going to affect only a few percent of the whole ocean floor.

However, scaremongering, alarmism and hysteria are constant attempts to undermine this effort! As usual the environmental impact is greatly exaggerated. Means to avoid or reduce the impact are not mentioned or downplayed and so on ... 

"Commercial mining of the sea floor could soon get the green light. The International Seabed Authority (ISA), a body associated with the United Nations that oversees deep-sea mining in international waters, is now meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, where it could decide whether companies can begin excavating the sea floor for minerals and metals such as cobalt, nickel and sulfides. ...
However, research hints that the potential ecological impacts of deep-sea mining are larger than previously thought. Nature explores just how bad deep-sea mining could be. ..."

Deep-sea mining could soon be approved — how bad is it? The creatures at the bottom of the ocean are little-studied, but emerging data hint at long-term damage from efforts to harvest metals on the sea floor.

Global deepwater oil, gas production to surge 60 percent by 2030

Good news! 

Humanity needs abundant and cheep energy more than the Global Warming hoax and the Climate Change religion! Obsession with fantasy and superstition is unhealthy and irrational! 

In case you missed it: Renewable energy is seriously unreliable and everything but environmentally friendly!

"Deepwater oil and gas production will grow 60 percent from 10.4 million barrels per day this year to 17 million barrels per day by the end of the decade, according to a report from Wood Mackenzie. ..."

"... Deepwater production is set to increase by over 60% between 2022 and 2030, growing from 6% to 8% of overall upstream production. Ultra-deepwater production – from depths of 1,500 metres and above is growing fastest – by 2024 it will account for more than half of all deepwater production (our definition is 400 metres of water depth or above).

Brazil remains the leading deepwater producer, it accounts for around 30% of current global capacity and will continue to grow. Guyana, the most significant new entrant, will be producing one million boe/d within the next five years. In total 14 other countries will contribute to the deepwater supply mix in the coming years. ..."

Global deepwater oil, gas production to surge 60 percent by 2030

Wood Mackenzie: Global deepwater production to increase 60% The fastest growing resource theme in the industry has inherent emissions advantages for the sector

Indexed oil & gas production growth by resource theme, 2022-2030

About Deep Sea Mining of polymetallic nodules

Very recommendable except for that Climate Change propaganda!