Will China take the lead in global marine mineral resource development? The rare earth metals hidden in the seabed have the potential to completely transform the global energy transition, but the question remains: who will lead this trend? China is quietly but strategically moving forward, seemingly determined to occupy a central position in this global competition.

China's need for deep-sea mining is not driven by metal supply needs, but "for geopolitical reasons." So, will China soon begin mining operations? Due to current regulations, it may not. French President Emmanuel Macron even supported a pause in mining at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC).

As summarized by Future Science website: This is a race of different speeds. China adopts a cautious and well-considered strategy. Will China soon start mining operations?

Cobalt, nickel, copper... These rare metals buried in the seabed are crucial for the energy transition. These small pebbles wrapped in polymetallic nodules contain abundant resources and are attracting growing interest from major global powers.

Decades ago, these deposits, which could not yet be mined, would be used to manufacture batteries, solar panels, or wind turbines. However, this rush to mine the deep sea brings both scientific and ecological challenges. Our understanding of the seabed remains insufficient, and its fragile biodiversity may suffer severe damage.

Despite these uncertainties, some countries have begun preparing for global competition. And China is playing a leading role.

This is a race of multiple speeds

Last May, a Canadian startup called The Metals Company (TMC) attempted to circumvent international law by applying to U.S. President Donald Trump for an operational license in international waters. International waters are governed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the only organization authorized to issue operational licenses. TMC is an exploration company for polymetallic nodules in the seabed and can serve as a potential alternative source for four key battery metals (nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese) used in electric vehicle batteries and steel production. TMC is a Canadian company listed on Nasdaq.

However, while some countries attempt to break the rules, others - such as China - move forward more low-key. Today, China holds five exploration contracts issued by the ISA, setting a world record, and has also signed agreements with several Pacific island nations such as the Cook Islands and Kiribati to explore their maritime areas.

This is a cautious and well-thought-out strategy by China

According to multiple experts, China's strategy is not to be the first to exploit seabed resources. Instead, its goal is to occupy a core position after official approval (if eventually granted). Julia Xue, a scholar at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, pointed out: "China is an energy-hungry country."

But this observer of international seabed issues believes that China's need for deep-sea mining is not driven by metal supply demands, but "for geopolitical reasons, to maintain attention to raw material markets."

So, will China soon begin seabed mining operations? According to France's Futura Sciences website: probably not.

Because commercial development of the seabed may still take several years. An alliance composed of countries and scientists is currently calling for at least a ten-year moratorium to give them time to better understand the consequences. French President Emmanuel Macron even supported a pause in mining at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC).

In addition, technically speaking, China is not the most advanced, especially compared to American Metal Company. But China compensates for this deficiency with its strong industry and receives strong support from the state. For example, China has mastered the processing technology for metal extraction, a critical step often overlooked by other countries.

China may not be the first country to explore the seabed, but it is likely the best-prepared country and will ultimately become a key player in acquiring these seabed resources.

Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7517150293525430818/

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