As global demand for critical minerals intensifies — driven by the energy transition, technological innovation, and geopolitical competition — deep-sea mining has emerged as a potential frontier in resource development. At...more
4/30/2025
/ Executive Orders ,
International Trade ,
Minerals ,
National Security ,
NOAA ,
Popular ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Supply Chain ,
Trump Administration ,
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ,
United States
Deep-sea mining activities on the seabed and ocean floor beyond national waters are a risky and capital-intensive venture. The unpredictability of little-known ecosystems and environmental impacts translate into regulatory...more
Deep-sea mining activities in the seabed and ocean floor beyond national jurisdiction, including the collection of polymetallic nodules, are governed by the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the agreement...more
In part one of an explainer series about international deep-sea mining regulation, Louise Woods and Elena Guillet share advice for setting up sponsorship agreements between contractors and sponsoring states. The ISA has...more
7/19/2024
/ Contractors ,
Exploitation ,
International Waters ,
Investment ,
Jurisdiction ,
Mineral Exploration ,
Minerals ,
Mining ,
Sponsorship Agreements ,
Supply Chain ,
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
Reliable supplies of critical raw materials are essential for the green transition and to ensure the competitiveness of key national industries. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the US and the European Union’s Critical...more
The IRA and CRMA are the clearest results of a race to reclaim control over critical raw materials following the global supply chain vulnerabilities exposed during the pandemic and exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,...more
2023 was another year of change brought by global factors, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the rising trend of protectionism, the continued and increased disruption to supply chains, and inflation — all factors that are set...more
The second part of 28th Session of the International Seabed Authority’s Council continues in Jamaica with the international community lying anxiously in wait. One major international actor is notably absent from the...more
As set out in our previous alert Pivotal Year for Deep-Sea Mining, the deep seabed is rich in mineral concretions containing cobalt, nickel, copper and manganese called polymetallic nodules. A vast number of these nodules are...more