The Next Strategic Metals Frontier
Deep-sea minerals represent one of the largest untapped sources of critical minerals required for modern life and technology – supporting national defense, clean and resilient energy systems, advanced manufacturing, and next-generation batteries. As the world enters a period of heightened geopolitical competition and economic uncertainty, access to secure, scalable, and reliable mineral supply is becoming a strategic priority.
The United States and its allies are increasingly focused on strengthening domestic and aligned supply chains for critical minerals – especially those with concentrated production and refining exposure abroad. Deep-sea mineral resources can play a meaningful role in closing that gap by providing a new, highly scalable source of key battery and industrial metals.
Why Now?
1. Critical Minerals are a U.S. National Priority
Demand for critical minerals are rising across;
- Battery Supply Chains and Electrification
- Grid Infrastructure and Renewable Integration
- Defense and Aerospace Systems
- Advanced Electronics and Industrial Manufacturing
At the same time, supply remains constrained and often concentrated in high-risk jurisdictions. The result is a growing strategic urgency to diversify sources and create more resilient supply chains.
2. Policy Momentum is Accelerating Offshore Minerals
Recent U.S policy actions have elevated offshore mineral resources as part of national economic and security strategy. In particular, the Trump Administration issued an Executive Order titled “Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources” (April 24, 2025), directing federal agencies to accelerate the identification, permitting, and development of offshore mineral resources, including seabed-derived critical minerals.
This policy direction reflects the growing recognition that offshore minerals – and the technologies that enable their responsible recovery can strengthen U.S strategic supply, reduce foreign dependence, and support long-term economic resilience.
3. Government Frameworks Already Exist
The U.S has long maintained a legal structure for deep seabed mineral exploration and potential recovery through the Deep Sea Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA). Under this framework, agencies such as NOAA have a regulatory role in licensing and permitting for U.S.- linked deep seabed minerals activities in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
This is important because it creates a credible pathway for regulated exploration and commercial development as U.S policy prioritizes critical minerals independence.
4. Deep-Sea minerals offer a unique opportunity to develop new supply at scale, at a time when land-based projects face:
- Longer Permitting Cycles
- Infrastructure Bottlenecks
- Community and Land-Use Constraints
- Complex Environmental Tradeoffs
- High Capital Intensity and Tailing Liabilities
Companies that build early, science-driven capabilities and technical credibility can establish significant competitive advantages as industrial and strategic buyers seek diversified supply.
Macroeconomic Tailwinds Supporting Long-Term Growth
Deep-Sea Minerals sit at the intersection of powerful, durable trends:
Supply Chain Resilience
Demand for critical minerals are rising across;
- Battery Supply Chains and Electrification
- Grid Infrastructure and Renewable Integration
- Defense and Aerospace Systems
- Advanced Electronics and Industrial Manufacturing.
At the same time, supply remains constrained and often concentrated in high-risk jurisdictions. The result is a growing strategic urgency to diversify sources and create more resilient supply chains.
Reindustrialization and Strategic Manufacturing
North America and allied economies are expanding domestic manufacturing and strategic industrial capacity. This requires reliable critical mineral inputs – especially nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, and other battery and industrial metals.
Defense and Security Demand
Critical minerals support defense readiness through:
- Aerospace systems
- Naval platforms
- Secure electronics
- Communications and surveillance systems
- Advanced manufacturing and alloys
As the geopolitical environment becomes more complex, secure access to critical minerals becomes more important.
Energy Transition Demand
Electrification, renewables integration, grid expansion, and battery deployments are driving sustained demand for critical metal inputs across both consumer and industrial segments.
Economic Uncertainty Creates a Strategic Advantage
In volatile macro environments, discretionary demand can fluctuate but strategic demand often become more durable
Critical minerals are increasingly treated as essential infrastructure inputs. That makes the sector more likely to benefit from:
- Government driven supply chain programs and funding initiatives
- Strategic procurement and offtake alignment
- Resilience and security driven investment
- Supportive industrial policy
Deep-sea minerals can therefore be positioned not as a short-cycle commodity story, but as a long-term cycle strategic resource development thesis.
The U.S. Government’s Role: A Clear Strategic Signal
Recent U.S actions suggest deep-sea minerals are shifting from theoretical to strategic:
Regulatory Pathway
U.S agencies have statutory frameworks and regulatory roles that can support licensing and permitting pathways for deep seabed mineral activities.
Leasing and Development Signals
Federal discussion and agency activity around offshore mineral development – including early-stage consideration of potential seabed mineral leasing reflect a renewed willingness to explore and advance offshore mineral options.
A New Category of Strategic Resource Development
Deep-sea minerals are not simply an extension of conventional mining. They represent a new category of resource development requiring advanced engineering, world class marine science, and rigorous monitoring.
This creates an opportunity for organizations that lead with:
- Transparency and scientific integrity
- Innovation and advanced environmental monitoring
- Disciplined project execution
- Long-term alignment with strategic buyers and national supply objectives
The Minerals:
What’s Being Targeted and Why They Matter
The most discussed deposit type today is polymetallic (manganese) nodules, found in deep abyssal plains ~4,000 – 5,000 meters below sea level. These nodules concentrate multiple “critical minerals” in one ore body.
Key critical minerals commonly associated with nodules
Nickel
Batteries, stainless steel, defense applications
Cobalt
Batteries, aerospace alloys (though demand is changing with battery chemistry)
Manganese
Steel + increasingly important in battery cathodes
Copper
Electrification, grid buildout, motors
Rare Earth Elements (REEs)
In smaller quantities but strategically relevant for magnets, electronics, defense
“Rare-to-Domestic” Supply Chain
The supply chain has 4 stages
To get from seabed nodules to domestic industrial use, you need:
- Resource access & harvesting
- Transport & intermediate handling
- Processing & refining into battery-grade / industrial metals
- Manufacturing integration (cathodes, magnets, alloys, electronics, defense components)