Deep-sea mining tests show devastating impact on more than one-third of seabed species

New research reveals that experimental deep-sea mining operations have significantly harmed over one-third of animal species living on the ocean floor, intensifying the heated debate between renewable energy advocates and marine conservationists.

The study findings come at a critical juncture as the world grapples with how to source materials needed for green technologies like electric vehicle batteries and solar panels. Many of these essential minerals—including cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements—lie buried in mineral-rich nodules scattered across deep ocean floors, particularly in the Pacific’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone.

Scientists monitored the environmental impact of test mining operations and discovered widespread disruption to fragile deep-sea ecosystems. The research documented significant harm to bottom-dwelling creatures, from tiny organisms to larger invertebrates that form the foundation of deep-ocean food webs. These ecosystems, which have remained largely undisturbed for millions of years, show little capacity for rapid recovery from industrial disturbance.

The findings fuel an increasingly contentious global discussion about environmental trade-offs in the fight against climate change. Proponents argue that deep-sea mining offers a more sustainable alternative to land-based mining operations, which often involve deforestation and community displacement. However, marine biologists and environmental groups warn that rushing into commercial deep-sea mining could cause irreversible damage to some of Earth’s least understood and most pristine ecosystems, potentially destroying species before they’re even discovered.