Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)
Keywords
deep-sea mineral resources, critical minerals, strategic exploitation, national resource security
Abstract
Facing the new stage of strategic mining of deep-sea minerals and the long-term pressure of supply of critical minerals, China urgently needs to seize the window of opportunity for the strategic exploitation of deep-sea critical minerals and open up new sources of supply of critical minerals. Having analyzed the new global situation and challenges of the strategic exploitation of deep-sea critical mineral resources, the study attempted to clarify the supporting role of deep-sea mining in securing critical mineral supply, as well as the actual conditions and main obstacles for the strategic exploitation of deep-sea critical mineral resources in China. Based on these, the study systematically proposes countermeasures to promote the exploitation of deep-sea critical minerals, providing decision-making support for ensuring the country’s strategic mineral supply security.
First page
715
Last Page
726
Language
Chinese
Publisher
Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
References
1. Hein J R, Mizell K, Koschinsky A, et al. Deep-ocean mineral deposits as a source of critical metals for high- and green-technology applications: Comparison with land-based resources. Ore Geology Reviews, 2013, 51: 1-14.
2. Wang C, Zhou S Y, Shu X J, et al. Deep-sea mining: A potential solution to secure critical energy minerals availability. npj Ocean Sustainability, 2025, (4): 59.
3. Hein J R, Mizell K. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Part XI Regime and the International Seabed Authority: A Twenty-Five Year Journey. Leiden: Brill Nijhoff, 2022: 177-197.
4. 干勇, 彭苏萍, 毛景文, 等. 我国关键矿产及其材料产业供应链高质量发展战略研究. 中国工程科学, 2022, 24(3): 1-9. Gan Y, Peng S P, Mao J W, et al. High-quality development strategy for the supply chain of critical minerals and its material industry in China. Strategic Study of CAE, 2022, 24(3): 1-9. (in Chinese)
5. Wang C, Shu X J, Zhou S Y, et al. Embracing a new era of deep-sea mining: Research progress and prospects. Marine Policy, 2025, 180: 106778.
6. International Energy Agency. The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions. Paris: IEA, 2021.
7. World Economic Forum. Securing Minerals for the Energy Transition. Geneva: WEF, 2023.
8. Lèbre É, Stringer M, Svobodova K, et al. The social and environmental complexities of extracting energy transition metals. Nature Communications. 2020, 11(1): 4823.
9. 初凤友, 姜静, 刘禹维, 等. 我国深海多金属结核资源的勘探进展及思考. 中国有色金属学报, 2021, 31(10): 2638-2648. Chu F Y, Jiang J, Liu Y W, et al. Advance and implication for polymetallic nodules resources exploration in deep-sea. The Chinese Journal of Nonferrous Metals, 2021, 31(10): 2638-2648. (in Chinese)
10. LaTourrette T, Villalobos F, Yoshiara E, et al. The Potential Impact of Seabed Mining on Critical Mineral Supply Chains and Global Geopolitics. (2025-04-09)[2026-03-09]. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3560-1.html.
11. Kirchain R, Field F R, Roth R. Financial Regimes for Polymetallic Nodule Mining: A Comparison of Four Economic Models. Kingston: International Seabed Authority, 2019.
12. Roth R, Kirchain R, Moore E. Financial Payment System for Deep Sea Mining of Polymetallic Nodules. Kingston: International Seabed Authority, 2023.
13. AMC Consultants Pty Ltd. Technical Report Summary-Initial Assessment of TOML and NORI Properties, Clarion-Clipperton Zone, TMC the metals company Inc. (2025-08-04)[2026-03-09]. https://metals.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/0225054-TRS-Initial-Assessment-of-TOML-and-NORI-Properties_31-July-2025_FOR-FILING.pdf.
14. Gilau A M, Failler P. Economic assessment of sustainable blue energy and marine mining resources linked to African Large Marine Ecosystems. Environmental Development, 2020, 36: 100548.
15. Wakefield J R, Myers K. Social cost benefit analysis for deep sea minerals mining. Marine Policy, 2018, 95: 346-355.
16. Sharma R. Deep-sea Mining: Resource Potential, Technical and Environmental Considerations. Berlin: Springer, 2017.
17. Sumaila U R, Alam L, Pradhoshini K, et al. To engage in deep-sea mining or not to engage: What do full net cost analyses tell us?. npj Ocean Sustainability, 2023, (2): 19.
18. Brotherson M, Whipps S Jr. A message from island leaders: Protect the Pacific Ocean from deep-sea mining. Nature, 2025, 642: 299-302.
19. Feichtner I, Ginzky H. The struggle at the International Seabed Authority over deep sea mineral resources. npj Ocean sustainability, 2024, 3: 63.
20. 李家彪, 王叶剑, 刘磊, 等. 深海矿产资源开发技术发展现状与展望. 前瞻科技, 2022, 1(2): 92-102. Li J B, Wang Y J, Liu L, et al. Current status and prospect of deep-sea mining technology. Science and Technology Foresight, 2022, 1(2): 92-102. (in Chinese) *Corresponding author
21. 陈旭光, 寇海磊, 牛小东, 等. 深海水下技术装备发展研究. 中国工程科学, 2024, 26(2): 1-14. Chen X G, Kou H L, Niu X D, et al. Development of deep-sea underwater technology and equipment. Strategic Study of CAE, 2024, 26(2): 1-14. (in Chinese)
22. Levin L A, Amon D J, Lily H. Challenges to the sustainability of deep-seabed mining. Nature Sustainability, 2020, 3(10): 784-794.
23. Gilbert N. Major ocean database that will guide deep-sea mining has flaws, scientists warn. (2023-05-25)[2026-04-03]. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-01303-7.
24. Kaikkonen L, Helle I, Kostamo K, et al. Causal approach to determining the environmental risks of seabed mining. Environmental Science & Technology, 2021, 55(13): 8502-8513.
25. Williams R, Erbe C, Duncan A, et al. Noise from deep-sea mining may span vast ocean areas. Science, 2022, 377: 157-158.
26. Willaert K. Regulating Deep Sea Mining: A Myriad of Legal Frameworks. Berlin: Springer, 2021.
27. 徐向欣. 国际海底区域“两年规则”相关法律问题探析. 中国海商法研究, 2022, 33(2): 93-102. Xu X X. Analysis on legal issues of the “two-year rule” in the international seabed area. Chinese Journal of Maritime Law, 2022, 33(2): 93-102. (in Chinese)
28. 姜秀敏, 陈坚. BBNJ协定谈判的焦点与中国的路径选择. 中国海洋大学学报(社会科学版), 2021, (3): 1-12. Jiang X M, Chen J. The focus of BBNJ agreement negotiation and China’s choice. Journal of Ocean University of China (Social Sciences), 2021, (3): 1-12. (in Chinese)
29. The Government of China. General Comments on the Draft Regulations on Exploitation of Mineral Resources in the Area. Kingston: International Seabed Authority, 2024.
Recommended Citation
WANG, Chang; SHU, Xiaojie; ZHOU, Siyuan; SONG, Huiling; LIU, Shaojun; XU, Xiangxin; DAI, Tao; ZHANG, Tao; WANG, Peng; LI, Zheng; and CHENG, Jinhua
(2026)
"Challenges in strategic exploitation of deep-sea minerals and China’s countermeasures,"
Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version): Vol. 41
:
Iss.
4
, Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3724/j.issn.1000-3045.20241227003
Available at:
https://bulletinofcas.researchcommons.org/journal/vol41/iss4/9
Included in
Defense and Security Studies Commons, Mineral Physics Commons, Science and Technology Policy Commons, Sustainability Commons


