In the depths of the ocean, a new contest between the US and China emerges

"Deep below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, the seafloor is dotted with clusters of brown and black rocks, each containing valuable metals. The rocks, known as polymetallic nodules, hold reserves of critical minerals that could be used to power clean energy and fuel a new industrial future. In the Cook Islands, a nation halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, exploration vessels are mapping the mineral-rich seabeds."

"Demand for critical minerals including cobalt, nickel and manganese has surged as nations race to power clean energy, defence and AI technologies. With land-based reserves diminishing and much of the market controlled by China, attention is turning to the deep sea. Commercial deep-sea mining is yet to take place anywhere in the world. It remains controversial due to concerns over the environmental impact, and dozens of countries have called for a moratorium on the practice."

Polymetallic nodules on the Pacific seafloor contain cobalt, nickel and manganese useful for clean energy, defence and AI technologies. Demand for these critical minerals has surged as land-based reserves diminish and much of the market remains controlled by China. The Cook Islands has large ocean territory where exploration vessels are mapping mineral-rich seabeds, and both the US and China are exploring resource potential, creating strategic competition. Commercial deep-sea mining has not yet occurred and remains controversial because of environmental concerns; many countries have called for a moratorium. The Cook Islands currently prohibits seabed mining while conducting technical and environmental assessments to evaluate commercial development.

Read at www.theguardian.com