Countries are negotiating rules to mine the deep sea. The U.S. is pushing ahead alone

Thousands of feet deep, parts of the seafloor are covered in polymetallic nodules. The potato-sized formations are being targeted by mining companies because of the metals they contain.

With growing interest in mining critical metals from the seafloor, countries are now negotiating international rules. The Trump administration is forging ahead on its own, speeding up environmental review for mining the fragile ecosystem.

(Image credit: NOAA Ocean Exploration)



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