There's no rulebook for deep-sea mining. Companies want to push forward anyway

The International Seabed Authority is working to create regulations for deep-sea mining, where critical metals are found in polymetallic nodules. A Vancouver-based startup, The Metals Company, plans to move forward with the world’s first deep-sea mine in the eastern Pacific Ocean, potentially reshaping the mineral economy. Concerns about mining without regulations leading to disastrous consequences for ocean health have been raised. The deep seabed contains vast quantities of metals, including nickel, cobalt, and manganese, which could provide a new source of minerals independent of China.

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