The rush for rare metal continues as these are essential for electronic devices, including some military applications. Nickel, cobalt and manganese can be found in some deep-sea nodules in parts of the world. Worryingly, an Executive Order has been signed in the US instructing their National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to 'fast-track' permits for companies to mine the ocean floor in both US and International waters. This move concerns folk who believe the activity will inevitably damage marine ecosystems. Many people depend on these systems for their livelihoods. The move also ignores an ongoing process aiming to adopt international rules for deep-sea mining, which would limit the damage (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/26/trump-deep-sea-mining). The ocean bed seems to be getting a bit like 'the wild west'? The impact of deep-sea mining could be quite complex.
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