Hear it from the people closest to the question
Scientists, engineers, advocates, and lawmakers — across the spectrum of views. We link the original conversations so you can judge the arguments for yourself.
- Panel · discussion
Duke Oceans Webinar Series 2021: "Deep Sea Mining: Assessing Challenges and Opportunities"
An important international policy struggle is underway, one that is invisible to most citizens. Countries are preparing to mine the ocean floor in the deep sea, hoping to secure minerals that are deemed important to supporting a modern economy. The International Seabed Authority is required to ensure that such mining does not harm the marine environment, and finds itself caught between competing interests: on one side are countries and companies anxious to proceed, while on the other side are countries, scientists, and non-government organizations anxious to ensure adequate environmental protections for the unique biodiversity of the deep sea. The resulting struggle presents important questions about the stewardship of our oceans.
Watch - Panel · discussion
Dr. Gartman from the U.S. Geological Survey discusses their Samoa Basin exploration work.
Dr. Amy Gartman of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) discusses the Samoa Basin exploration work conducted in American Samoa’s Exclusive Economic Zone. In April–May 2026, Dr. Gartman served as Expedition Lead for the USGS box-coring leg of the American Samoa Abyssal Mapping Project. Working in partnership with NOAA and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the team collected 38 box cores across the Samoa Basin to characterize seafloor minerals, sediments, and biological communities at depths of approximately 5,500 meters.
Watch - Dr. Diva AmonMarine biologist
Scientists urge strict rules on deep-sea mining
FRANCE 24 speaks with marine biologist Dr. Diva Amon at the UN Ocean Conference about the case for caution before commercial seabed mining begins.
Watch - Tom PeacockProfessor of mechanical engineering, MIT
Mining the deep sea — Tom Peacock (TEDxMIT)
MIT engineer Tom Peacock explains how nodule collection works and what researchers still need to learn about sediment plumes.
Watch - Vasser SeydelOcean advocate
Deep-sea mining: the next climate disaster? — Vasser Seydel
A TEDxBoston talk making the case for precaution, laying out the environmental risks of mining the deep ocean.
Watch - Panel · discussion
Should we mine the deep ocean? (BBC)
BBC World Service's The Climate Question weighs the global race for critical minerals against the risks to a barely-explored ecosystem.
Watch - Panel · discussion
Beneath the waves: the science and technology of deep-sea mining
A U.S. House Science Committee hearing on the science, technology, and policy questions around seabed mining.
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