The global demand for cobalt is expected to increase exponentially in the coming decades, with high estimates anticipating a 10- to 20-fold increase by 2050 (Deetman et al. This paper aims to explore the possibility for deep-seabed mining (DSM) of PMN deposits as a means of reducing cobalt’s supply risk to the US economy (thus its currently increasing criticality), from a political, economic, and legal perspective. 2020), though there remains no specific literature pertaining exclusively to PMNs or marine-derived cobalt. Existing literature provides a solid foundation of the broader circumstances and challenges to the development of marine mineral resources (Kaluza et al. 2013), there are currently hard barriers to the immediate exploitation of these resources. Whilst there exist large cobalt resources on the deep-seabed in the form of polymetallic nodules (PMNs) (Hein et al. The vast majority of the global cobalt supply currently originates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which is responsible for 98,000 of the 142 tonnes (≈69%) produced in 2020 (Shedd 2022). It is presently only extracted from terrestrial mining activities, with 131 cobalt-producing mines identified in 20 different countries as of 2020 (Brown et al. It is suggested that PMN mining be used in a wider strategy to improve supply security of cobalt to US markets.Ĭobalt is a silvery-grey transition metal with diverse uses based on certain key properties, specifically ferromagnetism, relative hardness, wear-resistance when alloyed with other metals, low thermal and electrical conductivity, high melting points, and multiple valences (Slack et al. It is argued that the wider environmental benefits of increased cobalt supply from PMN mining may offset its detrimental environmental impacts. Technical and political restrictions must also be overcome. There exist impediments to its introduction, notably potential environmental impacts, which remain poorly understood. PMN mining offers a more stable and decentralised alternative to current cobalt supply.

Assessments are made of the viability of PMN extraction considering ongoing barriers to introduction, contrasted with current arguments supporting PMN extraction. This study assesses the viability of extracting cobalt from polymetallic nodules (PMNs) located on the deep-seabed in the Area, as an alternative strategy to reduce cobalt’s criticality. Previous discussions around reducing cobalt’s criticality have suggested diversifying processing locations to reduce geographical and jurisdictional reliance where possible. There remain environmental and ethical concerns over the present supply chain. Supply is threatened for various reasons, primarily regarding supply chain concentrations, with the majority of the world’s cobalt originating in terrestrial deposits in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and being refined in China. Cobalt demand is increasing due to its requirement in lithium-ion batteries, which will significantly contribute to the energy transition. The growing importance of cobalt to the US economy has led to its categorisation as a critical mineral.

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