Manganknollen in etwa 4000 Metern Tiefe auf dem Meeresboden enthalten neben Mangan auch hohe Gehalte an Kupfer, Nickel, Kobalt und seltenen Erden.
Deep-sea mining is framed as a solution to supply chain risks from geopolitical conflicts
The Iran war threatens aluminum supplies even as China’s dominance in rare earths gives it leverage in disputes, pushing nations to seek alternatives in the deep sea.
Experts say the volume of metals on the ocean floor could meet global demand for technological advancement for decades, according to Andrea Koschinsky, professor of geosciences at Constructor University in Bremen.
Mangan nodules and crusts offer a broader elemental profile than land-based mining
Unlike terrestrial mines that typically extract a single resource, deep-sea deposits like manganese nodules and crusts contain enrichments across much of the periodic table, including scandium, platinum and tellurium.
Tellurium is specifically noted as vital for photovoltaics and solar energy expansion, while massive sulfides allow processing similar to land mining and contain copper, zinc, cobalt, gold and silver.
Global exploration focuses on the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans
Scientists have identified deposits or favorable conditions for deep-sea mineral formation in these regions, driving worldwide interest in extracting resources via vacuum-like suction and seafloor-cutting machinery.
What metals are found in manganese nodules?
Manganese nodules contain manganese along with high levels of copper, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements.
Why is tellurium from deep-sea crusts significant?
Tellurium is important for photovoltaics and the expansion of solar energy, as noted in the source material.