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| The Metals Company |
Bid to Mine Clarion-Clipperton Zone Raises Geopolitical and Environmental Concerns
Polymetallic Nodules Sought for Battery Metals Supply Chain Amid Regulatory Vacuum
The Metals Company has announced plans to apply for deep-sea mining licenses from the U.S. government, aiming to bypass the United Nations’ regulatory body. The move targets the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a seabed region in the central Pacific spanning 1.7 million square miles. This zone contains abundant polymetallic nodules rich in nickel, cobalt, manganese, and rare earth elements—critical to EV batteries and green infrastructure.
The Canadian firm is invoking the U.S. Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act of 1980 to request permits from NOAA. While the law predates the UN’s current seabed governance framework, it allows U.S. licensing for mineral recovery in international waters. If granted, this would mark the first U.S.-authorized commercial deep-sea mining operation and a direct challenge to the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
The ISA, which oversees global seabed activities under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, has condemned the move. ISA Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho argued that all seabed mining must adhere to international protocols. Although The Metals Company previously held three ISA exploration licenses, ongoing delays in finalizing ISA’s commercial regulations have driven its shift to unilateral action.
Critics warn this could trigger a regulatory race-to-the-bottom. The ISA has long struggled to implement enforceable environmental standards and benefit-sharing rules. Meanwhile, NOAA has never issued a commercial permit, despite holding two exploration licenses since 1984. Friction between these two regimes may create long-term uncertainty for investors, processors, and recyclers relying on secure and responsible sources of battery metals.
ScrapInsight Editorial Commentary
This strategic shift by The Metals Company may signal a new phase in global mineral supply risk. As battery demand rises and terrestrial sources tighten, seabed mining is attracting interest from both state and private sectors. However, for secondary metal processors and recyclers, the move underscores the urgency of developing circular systems to offset unpredictable primary supply chains. Until governance gaps close, scrap-based sourcing will remain the most reliable route for sustainable metal inputs.
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