Who’s in charge of the deep?

Established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the International Seabed Authority (ISA) governs deep-sea mining in international waters, known as “The Area”. While each coastal nation has its own Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), stretching 200 nautical miles from its coastline, much of the ocean remains under ISA jurisdiction.
The ISA is currently developing a Mining Code – a regulatory framework that will guide seabed mineral exploitation. These rules will ensure that operators submit robust Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), backed by solid baseline data, and conduct activities that benefit all humankind while protecting marine ecosystems.

Who’s diving in?

Over 30 countries and companies currently hold ISA-issued exploration licences. Key players include China, India and France, along with smaller nations, such as Nauru and Tonga. Under a sponsorship model, countries can back commercial operators in exchange for economic returns from the lease.

Why the United States is (mostly) sitting this one out

The United States is not a signatory to UNCLOS and therefore cannot exploit deep-sea minerals beyond its own EEZ. While U.S. companies can explore within national waters, the country’s absence from the ISA limits its participation in broader international ventures. Although advocates are pushing for the U.S. to join UNCLOS, doing so would mean ceding some regulatory control, an outcome unlikely in the current political climate.

How do you mine the ocean floor?

Deep-sea mining can occur at depths of up to 6,000 metres. It involves the use of a collector – essentially an underwater vacuum – and a Production Support Vessel (PSV). The collector moves along the seafloor, retrieving nodules and transporting them to the PSV via riser pipes. The PSV, which resembles a deep-sea drilling vessel, performs preliminary processing and prepares the material for bulk transport.