Many experts say deep-sea mining will cause irreversible damage to marine ecosystems. Yet the race to exploit the seabed is accelerating. Right now, China is one of the biggest players in this race. It holds multiple exploration contracts and has a fleet of research vessels to survey the seabed.🧵

@elizabethalberts.bsky.social and @karadaniellefox.bsky.social found that eight Chinese ships operated in strange navigation patterns and even went “dark”. Some experts claim they might be looking for the submarine's signature sound. Explore this story, supported by @pulitzercenter.org.

Chinese deep-sea mining research ships spent more time in strategic waters than deep-sea mining areas & may be "more interested in mining military intelligence than minerals." Maybe Trump should think twice about opening Pandora's box.. @elizabethalberts.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/custom-story...

Why are Chinese state-owned deep-sea mining vessels outside research zones? #Mongabay and @cnn.com analyzed the routes these ships took for the past five years and found them navigating close to key U.S. military territory. Experts believed they might be serving a dual-purpose.

Is China's deep sea mining exploration a front to surveil the US military & even Russia? Terrific investigative reporting by @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for @mongabay.com & @cnn.com Chinese vessels spent only 6% of their time in designated mining zones, vs sensitive waters like Guam and Taiwan:

Very sad to hear about the passing of Kristina Gjerde. news-mongabay-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/news.mon...

BOEM opened an RFI on Nov. 12 to gather input on potential deep-sea mining near the Mariana Trench. The comment period closes today. Critics say the RFI was rushed and opaque, and that BOEM failed to consult the CNMI and Guam governments or communities beforehand. news.mongabay.com/2025/12/deep...

Great summary of what #COP30 delivered for the ocean by @elizabethalberts.bsky.social in @mongabaylatam.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2025/11/cop3...

TMC once pitched deep-sea mining as a fix for green tech like EVs. Now it's all about U.S. national security. This pivot helped TMC align with U.S. political goals—and brought its mining ambitions closer to reality. @mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/custom-story...

The Canadian firm The Metals Company pursue of securing a license to mine in international waters under U.S. jurisdiction appears to be progressing. Yet, many question how smoothly TMC’s plans might unfold. #ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social reports for #Mongabay. bit.ly/3ISsefh

TMC’s deep-sea mining push is moving ahead, but critics warn of legal fights, ecological damage, and global backlash. Its ties to controversial past ventures like Nautilus & DSMF raise even more red flags. @mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social #DeepSeaMining news.mongabay.com/custom-story...

The U.S. recently announced rule changes that would accelerate deep-sea mining. Experts warn that the rapid push to open the outer continental shelf to mining is potentially harmful to deep-sea ecosystems. Story by ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social ‬for @mongabay.com. bit.ly/44TVMl8

BOEM has rolled out policy changes to fast-track deep-sea mining in U.S. waters — and companies like Impossible Metals, Wetstone, Odyssey Marine Exploration and Transocean are now actively engaging with the agency. @mongabay.com @pulitzercenter.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2025/07/u-s-...

Papua New Guinea’s prime minister is against deep-sea mining, but a provincial governor backs it. Locals near the Solwara 1 site worry about their fisheries and haven’t gotten answers. Read more in a collaboration at @mongabay.com‬ with @elizabethalberts.bsky.social :

"We don’t want any deep-sea mining in Papua New Guinea,” PM James Marape told me at UNOC. But in the province of New Ireland, a seabed mining project appears to be going forward. Read my collab with @john-cannon.bsky.social on @mongabay.com news.mongabay.com/2025/06/png-...

Norway’s plans to mine seabed minerals in the Arctic remain in limbo after a licensing round was delayed. Experts warn that environmental impacts must be addressed before deep-sea mining can proceed. Story by ORN Fellow @elizabethalberts.bsky.social for @mongabay.bsky.social. bit.ly/42LAbt3

Norwegian deep-sea mining company Loke has gone bankrupt. Other companies are feeling the pressure, but the Norwegian government insists that DSM is still moving ahead. If it does, it won’t be smooth sailing. Environmentalists, fishers, scientists, and politicians are raising serious concerns.

Wild days ahead. Deep-sea miner TMC seeks U.S. approval, potentially bypassing global regulator

The Spanish government sanctioned 25 of its vessels for illegally turning off their satellite tracking devices while fishing off the coast of Argentina between 2018 and 2021. But this hasn’t stopped the vessels from fishing. My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2024/01/spai...

Norway’s parliament has officially voted to allow deep-sea mining to go forward in the Norwegian Sea, despite warnings from scientists and conservationists that it could damage the marine environment. news.mongabay.com/2024/01/real... Latest for @mongabay.bsky.social

The U.S. government auctioned off oil and gas drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico despite concerns the move could endanger a newly described and very rare baleen whale known as the Rice’s whale. My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2023/12/u-s-...

Here's what happened at COP28 for the oceans. My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2023/12/did-...

A report released during the COP28 climate summit in Dubai suggests that current levels of warming will very likely push five major Earth systems to reach their “tipping points." But there is hope. My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2023/12/eart...

@elizabethalberts.bsky.social looks behind the scenes at why Mexico has done a 180 and flipped its position from fast-tracking deep sea mining to supporting a moratorium on exploiting the seabed for cobalt, nickel and other minerals.

Mexico, a nation that previously supported the development of deep-sea mining, has now called for a moratorium on this activity in international waters. My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2023/11/in-r...

A new report by International Pollutants Elimination Network and Beyond Plastics scrutinizes the chemical recycling industry that's on the rise in the U.S. and other parts of the world, including several European countries. My latest for @mongabay.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2023/11/chem...

Exciting news here @mongabay.bsky.social. We've launched a new bureau in Africa, won an award for environmental communication, and also analyzed data showing a 22% deforestation decline in the Brazilian Amazon. Lots to cover on this week's newscast: open.spotify.com/episode/3nNi...

A statement by journalists: We condemn Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza and urge integrity in Western media coverage of Israel's atrocities against Palestinians. Over 1,500 journalists have now signed this letter. www.protect-journalists.com

Mangrove restoration work in Jamaica is fraught with challenges. But there’s a problem particular to the Kingston area: a deluge of plastic pollution, which can block the vital flow of water the trees need to survive, or damage their roots. @mongabay.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2023/11/jama...

Sperm whale facts: 1: They have the largest brains in the animal kingdom. 2. They can dive 2,000 m. 3. Each sperm whale clan has its own dialect. And now, Dominica will create the world's first sperm whale reserve. Latest for @mongabay.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2023/11/domi...

‘Very good progress’ but nothing firm as deep-sea mining rules are hashed out at the latest meeting of the International Seabed Authority. My lates for @mongabay.bsky.social news.mongabay.com/2023/11/very...