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cover of episode Companies are betting on deep sea mining for critical minerals

Companies are betting on deep sea mining for critical minerals

2025/6/10
logo of podcast Marketplace All-in-One

Marketplace All-in-One
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Bridget
专注于打击数字骗局和保护个人隐私的个人，特别是在 AI 生成的虚假讣告方面。
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Daniel Ackerman
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Jared Barron
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Daniel Ackerman: 我一直在关注深海采矿公司如何尝试在严酷的环境中开采关键矿产。这些公司主要对多金属结核感兴趣，它们富含镍、钴、铜和锰等金属，对电气化未来至关重要。然而，深海环境恶劣，技术挑战巨大，且监管尚不明确。特朗普政府试图绕过国际海底管理局的规则，这可能引发国际争端。此外，汽车制造商对镍钴的需求变化以及公众对深海采矿的反对，都可能影响其商业前景。目前，我对深海采矿的经济性和环境可持续性持谨慎态度。 Jared Barron: 作为金属公司的CEO，我认为深海蕴藏着巨大的资源潜力。想象一下，海底就像一个巨大的高尔夫球场，上面布满了富含金属的多金属结核。太平洋中一块区域的镍、钴和锰储量甚至超过了陆地总和。我们计划使用先进的遥控车辆在海底收集这些结核，并通过管道输送到海面。虽然技术上存在挑战，但我相信深海采矿能够为全球提供关键矿产，并推动可持续发展。我们已经进行了初步测试，并有信心能够扩大生产规模。

Deep Dive

Chapters
The global market for critical minerals is projected to reach nearly $800 billion by 2040, with China currently dominating supply. Deep-sea mining is being explored as an alternative source, focusing on polymetallic nodules rich in valuable metals. Companies like The Metals Company are developing technologies to harvest these nodules from the ocean floor, but challenges remain due to the harsh environment and the need for large-scale, reliable technology.
  • Global market value of critical minerals projected to reach $800 billion by 2040
  • China's dominance in critical mineral supply
  • Deep-sea mining targets polymetallic nodules rich in nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese
  • Technological challenges of deep-sea mining due to harsh environment

Shownotes Transcript

The International Energy Agency projects the global market value of critical minerals could reach almost $800 billion by 2040. That's because we must have them for the electrified future. And right now, China is a dominant supplier.

The Trump administration wants to find other sources, and it's looking to U.S. and international waters to mine minerals on the ocean floor.

Marketplace contributor Daniel Ackerman has been reporting on the deep-sea mining companies that are working to figure out how to harvest in unforgiving terrain.