---
title: "Environmental risk of deep-sea mining is unjustifiable: comment"
description: Despite technological advancements and the potential for deep-sea mining (DSM) to supply metals crucial for decarbonisation, significant environmental and regulatory challenges remain. The current foc
---

[Skip to content](https://knowledge.curationcorp.com/knowledge/environmental-risk-of-deep-sea-mining-is-unjustifiable-comment#main-content)

English

Show submenu for translations

![Curation Logo Transparent (1)-1-1.png\]](https://knowledge.curationcorp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Curation%20Logo%20Transparent%20(1)-1-1.png?height=41&name=Curation%20Logo%20Transparent%20(1)-1-1.png)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- English
  
  Show submenu for translations
- Go to curationcorp.com

 Go to curationcorp.com

 Welcome to the Ocean 14 Knowledge Base

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

1. [Ocean 14 Knowledge Base](https://knowledge.curationcorp.com/knowledge?hsLang=en)
2. [Ocean Sustainability](https://knowledge.curationcorp.com/knowledge/ocean-sustainability?hsLang=en)

# Environmental risk of deep-sea mining is unjustifiable: comment

Despite technological advancements and the potential for deep-sea mining (DSM) to supply metals crucial for decarbonisation, significant environmental and regulatory challenges remain. The current focus is on the polymetallic nodules, cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts, and polymetallic sulfides targeted by DSM. These efforts are largely concentrated outside national jurisdictions, in areas such as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. However, environmental concerns and the risk of irreversible damage from DSM are profound, with potential impacts on deep-sea ecosystems that could alter global biogeochemical cycles and biodiversity. Given the high environmental risks and the availability of alternative on-land mining resources, DSM is viewed by many as unjustifiable. ([Nature)](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__cKf4804.na1.hubspotlinks.com_Ctc_OP-2B113_cKf4804_MVLPszPydWxW3xJwjb2zyR5-2DW8BHpjy5ddzBGN7vvr0F3qn9gW7lCdLW6lZ3mDVzbxvG7vh-5F-5F-5FW2PvW-5Fr5Yz7CRW8k4BS56Wng3nW5TfgFV2-5FF81XW5xgtFH191fkqW4BQwlC266Tw1W6Jnj4D58khZNW7LMzSH9bKhymW2d0VM51hxrsZW50-2DsHh49NqRQW1cx5f58cBxMvW1WZ5qn4Kk1SpVYhlL-2D1t7183W7VmZFL1CF2x8W7QfC3T6Hn6BtN7C-5FQ1DN5yBZW1FgcCl716-2DPDW6lk1jh3MPmrDW36MFDR1kTqcWW5tmZ9n4xlRy7W933cKT6KK6NDW9jY4YH3SSSgMW11ryLk1s1yM6W777fxy6PfGVDf31N1GY04&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=iZD9vLGKLm5Ucf8pmZ6pSkZCBXC1F8N4_fWUOzY9gfk&m=4y19IruoE20NHHF6k6oangCmgAZ-qwjWMOuWazXfM2PiC8sD8iUNjYtnEM2DANoA&s=CBjgjnNzyksgQ74wpfh9c6Z6THrhbfJWRwtUGX8Jdlo&e=)

- [Rio Weekly - Innov8](https://knowledge.curationcorp.com/knowledge/rio-weekly-innov8?hsLang=en)
- [Accelerate](https://knowledge.curationcorp.com/knowledge/accelerate?hsLang=en)
- [Aquaculture](https://knowledge.curationcorp.com/knowledge/aquaculture?hsLang=en)
- [Ocean Sustainability](https://knowledge.curationcorp.com/knowledge/ocean-sustainability?hsLang=en)
- [Carbon Capture & Sensors](https://knowledge.curationcorp.com/knowledge/carbon-capture-sensors?hsLang=en)
- [Emerging Preservation Technology](https://knowledge.curationcorp.com/knowledge/emerging-preservation-technology?hsLang=en)

[![Curation.png](https://knowledge.curationcorp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/black%20curation%20logo.png?width=1584&height=396&name=black%20curation%20logo.png "Curation.png")](http://curationcorp.com)

Ocean 14 Knowledge Base

Copyright © 2026, Curation Corporation Limited