Deep-Sea Mining Is Set to Uncover Precious Metals That Could Be Key to an Electric Future, But Are We Ready to Pay the Price?

Written by Rafaela Fabris

Published on 06/10/2024 at 00:36

Como a mineração em alto mar pode revolucionar a busca por metal precioso? (Imagem: Reprodução)

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Discover How Deep-Sea Mining Could Revolutionize The Search For Precious Metal, But At What Environmental Cost?

You won’t believe what is hidden four kilometers below the ocean surface! Deep-sea mining is about to reveal precious metals that may be the key to the future of electrical technologies, but are we ready to pay the environmental price?

In the depths of the Pacific Ocean, specifically in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, between Hawaii and Mexico, there are mysterious potato-shaped polymetallic nodules, rich in precious metals such as manganese, cobalt, nickel, and copper. It is estimated that an area slightly larger than Ireland could yield over 54 million tons of these metals, valued at over 20 billion dollars.

Deep-Sea Mining

These nodules have been studied since 1873, when the HMS Challenger managed to collect samples from the seafloor. However, it is only recently that companies like DeepGreen Metals and The Metals Company have begun to seriously explore the possibility of extracting these resources through deep-sea mining.

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Scientists And Environmentalists Are Concerned

But not everything is good news. Scientists and environmentalists are concerned about the impact of deep-sea mining on deep marine ecosystems, which are poorly understood and may harbor undiscovered species. Studies conducted in the 1980s, such as the DISCOL project conducted by German researchers, showed that areas where mining was tested did not recover even after 33 years, with significantly reduced biodiversity and trails of sediment still visible.

Organisms such as the dumbo octopus (Grimpoteuthis) and marine sponges use these nodules as habitat. “The removal of these nodules could devastate entire ecosystems”, warns marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle, known for her advocacy for the oceans.

Mining These Precious Metals On Land Also Has Significant Environmental Impacts

On the other hand, the alternative of mining these precious metals on land also has significant environmental impacts, such as deforestation and carbon emissions. Deep-sea mining could reduce emissions by up to 80% for some metals, due to the efficiency of extraction and transportation. “We are faced with an unprecedented ethical and environmental dilemma”, says researcher Dr. Craig Smith from the University of Hawaii.

We are facing a complex dilemma. We need these precious metals to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and combat the climate crisis, but is it worth risking an unknown ecosystem to save those we already know are in decline?

And what about you, what do you think about deep-sea mining? Is it the solution to our problems or a new environmental challenge? Leave your opinion in the comments!

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Bruno Lima

#58027

08/10/2024 13:04

Muito mais viável e sustentável que a mineração terrestre. Acredito que com tecnologia e tempo, os impactos da mineração em alto mar podem ser reduzidos!

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Antônio r Rosa

#57652

07/10/2024 20:18

Não tem como parar o ser humano vai se auto destruir isso é inevitável, somos perseguidor de objetivos e nunca vai parar!!!!

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Sílvio Dourado

#57488

07/10/2024 12:40

vão acabar com a carga natural do torus terrestre colhendo isto, vai deixar a terra mais estéril ainda…

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Deep-Sea Mining Is Set to Uncover Precious Metals That Could Be Key to an Electric Future, But Are We Ready to Pay the Price?

Discover How Deep-Sea Mining Could Revolutionize The Search For Precious Metal, But At What Environmental Cost?

Deep-Sea Mining

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Deep-Sea Mining Is Set to Uncover Precious Metals That Could Be Key to an Electric Future, But Are We Ready to Pay the Price?

Discover How Deep-Sea Mining Could Revolutionize The Search For Precious Metal, But At What Environmental Cost?

Deep-Sea Mining

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The oldest tree in the world, alive since before the birth of Jesus Christ, is cut down in a scientific study and the case changes environmental preservation rules.

An entire island in the Pacific wants to surround itself with a colossal barrier against the ocean to try to escape increasingly violent waves and not be swallowed by the sea in the coming decades.

After ten days orbiting the Moon, science confirms that the astronauts of the Artemis II mission return with altered bodies.

Peru built a tunnel at an altitude of 4,738 meters cutting through the Andes Mountains, and the road leading to it reaches 4,818 meters, making it the highest paved road in the entire world.

Seen from space, an image taken by an astronaut shows in Argentine Patagonia the exact point where a colossal glacier, a turquoise-blue lake, and a greenish arm of water meet, creating one of the rarest and most impressive landscapes in the region.

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