Efforts to start commercial-scale production have been dogged by growing calls to ban the industry until its environmental impact is clear.
Breakdown
- A research vessel in the Cook Islands is collecting data to support deep-sea mining safety. 15s
- The region contains major deposits of polymetallic nodules used in green energy technologies. 42s
- Environmental scientists warn that deep-sea mining could cause irreversible damage to seabed ecosystems. 1m 12s
- Thirty-seven countries support a moratorium on deep-sea mining, but some nations are moving forward with mining plans. 1m 37s
- The International Seabed Authority is meeting to decide on opening international waters to mining. 1m 59s