The US is looking to dramatically expand its efforts to churn up the seafloor in a new hunt for rare metals and critical resources. Supporters say the move could secure essential minerals and even lead to the discovery of new compounds,

In 1979, a deep-sea mining experiment in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) left a lasting mark on the seabed. Decades later, a groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature, co-led by the National Oceanography Centre and the Natural History Museum,

President Trump signed an executive order to boost the U.S. deep-sea mining industry for critical minerals. Supporters say deep-sea mining could boost the U.S. economy and reduce reliance on land-based mines, while environmental groups warn of biodiversity loss. The move comes amid U.S. efforts to decrease reliance on China for critical minerals.