Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Deep-sea mining is essential for meeting critical metal demands but requires strict environmental safeguards. • Innovations in high-fidelity sediment sampling and pressure-preserved samplers enable safe gas hydrate recovery. • Environmental protection is an intrinsic component of deep-sea mining, not an external constraint. • Global interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for sustainable deep-sea resource development.
Abstract
The global transition to green energy has created an unprecedented demand for critical metals and energy resources such as cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, rare earth elements, and gas hydrates. Against this strategic backdrop, deep-sea mineral and energy resources are increasingly viewed as essential supplements to terrestrial supply bottlenecks and as strategic safeguards for the future low-carbon economy. The international seabed forms a vast strategic resource of global significance, offering great potential to support energy transition and security. Therefore, under sound scientific evaluation and strict regulation, prudent development of this resource should serve both economic needs and the broader goals of sustainable energy transformation. However, deep-sea mining, as a frontier industry characterized by high technology, high investment, and high risk, faces multiple challenges. The technological complexity arises from the need for advanced marine engineering, sophisticated underwater robotics, high-precision in-situ monitoring systems, comprehensive environmental assessments, and intelligent big data analyses. High investment stems from substantial capital required for exploration, innovation, and platform construction. At the same time, the risks of deep-sea mining lie not only in the difficulty of achieving economic returns but, more fundamentally, in potentially irreversible environmental impacts on unique and fragile deep-sea ecosystems. It is precisely this high-stakes nature that makes environmental protection not an external constraint, but an inseparable and intrinsic component — and thus the fundamental starting point — of deep-sea mining and technological innovation. This Special Issue of the International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, titled Deep-Sea Mining and Environmental Protection, presents research on high-fidelity sediment sampling and sediment dynamics; technological innovations in deep-sea mining and equipment development; and environmental monitoring systems and geo-hazard assessment. Contributions from China, Canada, the UAE, Thailand, the UK, Vietnam, Germany, India, and Indonesia highlight the global, interdisciplinary nature of deep-sea resource and environmental studies. The issue provides engineers, geoscientists, and policy-makers with theoretical insights and practical tools to promote sustainable ocean resource development while protecting marine environments.
1. Introduction
The global transition to green energy has created an unprecedented demand for critical metals and energy resources such as cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, rare earth elements, and gas hydrates. Against this strategic backdrop, deep-sea mineral and energy resources are increasingly viewed as essential supplements to terrestrial supply bottlenecks and as strategic safeguards for the future low-carbon economy. The international seabed forms a vast strategic resource of global significance, offering great potential to support energy transition and security. Therefore, under sound scientific evaluation and strict regulation, prudent development of this resource should serve both economic needs and the broader goals of sustainable energy transformation [1].
However, deep-sea mining, as a frontier industry characterized by high technology, high investment, and high risk, faces multiple challenges. The technological complexity arises from the need for advanced marine engineering, sophisticated underwater robotics, high-precision in-situ monitoring systems, comprehensive environmental assessments, and intelligent big data analyses [2]. High investment stems from substantial capital required for exploration, innovation, and platform construction. At the same time, the risks of deep-sea mining lie not only in the difficulty of achieving economic returns but, more fundamentally, in potentially irreversible environmental impacts on unique and fragile deep-sea ecosystems [3,4]. It is precisely this high-stakes nature that makes environmental protection not an external constraint, but an inseparable and intrinsic component — and thus the fundamental starting point — of deep-sea mining and technological innovation.
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Xingsen Guo, Xiaolei Liu, Yonggang Jia, Rita Leal Sousa, Dongfang Liang, Thorsten Stoesser, Eckart Meiburg (2025). Guest editorial to the special issue deep-sea mining and environmental protection. SinoTechIntel Verified Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmst.2025.11.005
Research & Educational Purpose Only:The translations, structured abstracts, analytical annotations, and data reports provided by SinoTechIntel are intended exclusively for academic research, internal corporate R&D, and educational benchmarking. They do not constitute formal engineering, chemical safety, legal, or professional advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of this special issue?
The special issue focuses on deep-sea mining and environmental protection, covering high-fidelity sediment sampling, technological innovations, and environmental monitoring systems.
Why is deep-sea mining important?
Deep-sea mining provides critical metals and energy resources essential for the global transition to green energy, supplementing terrestrial supply bottlenecks.
What are the key challenges in deep-sea mining?
Deep-sea mining faces challenges including high technology complexity, high investment costs, and significant environmental risks to fragile deep-sea ecosystems.
How does the special issue address environmental protection?
The special issue presents research on environmental monitoring systems, geo-hazard assessment, and high-fidelity sediment sampling to promote sustainable resource development.
Who are the contributors to this special issue?
Contributors come from China, Canada, the UAE, Thailand, the UK, Vietnam, Germany, India, and Indonesia, highlighting global interdisciplinary collaboration.
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