SUPPLY CHAIN & OPERATIONS
Polymetallic nodules found on the seafloor contain copper , nickel and a variety of rare earth minerals – the key battery metals needed to support the ongoing transition to renewable energy . The IEA predicts that 130 million electric vehicles will be on our roads by 2030 . These raw materials are required if that mobility revolution is to be realised . And these strategic metals would contribute towards wider sustainability efforts with the production of solar panels , wind turbines and more ...
Deep-Sea Mining Deep-sea mining has the potential to supply rare earth metals free from the social strife associated with unsafe working conditions and labour rights abuses and can reduce the raw material cost and carbon footprint of vital green technologies .
“ On the other hand , concerned scientists have highlighted our limited knowledge of the deep-sea and its ecosystems ,” notes the World Economic Forum ’ s Platform Acceleration Lead Winnie Yeh . “ The potential impact of mining on deep-sea biodiversity , its habitats and fisheries are still being studied , and experts have questioned the idea that environmental impacts of mining in the deep-sea can be mitigated in the same way as those on land .”
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