News Summary

The U.S. Department of the Interior is considering selling deep-sea mining leases in response to a request from Impossible Metals, a startup focused on underwater resource extraction. The leases would allow for mining in waters offshore American Samoa. Impossible Metals has developed an autonomous underwater vehicle designed to collect polymetallic nodules with minimal ecological disruption, unlike traditional vacuum-based methods. These nodules are rich in critical minerals such as manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, and copper, which are in high demand due to global electrification needs. However, ecologists warn that deep-sea mining could significantly harm fragile ecosystems, potentially taking decades for recovery.