China’s Strategic Push for Deep-Sea Mining

Context

A Canadian company, The Metals Company, has initiated deep-sea mining operations in international waters by leveraging a 1980 U.S. law. This move, bypassing international consensus, has reignited global attention toward seabed mining. Meanwhile, China, despite lagging technologically, is actively securing strategic contracts and developing its capabilities for deep-sea mining, indicating long-term geopolitical ambitions.

International Seabed Authority (ISA):

Established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Regulates mineral-related activities in the “Area” — the seabed and ocean floor beyond national jurisdiction.
China holds 5 exploration contracts, the highest among all countries, covering polymetallic nodules, sulphides, and cobalt-rich crusts.

Deep-Sea Resources and Strategic Importance:

Rich in cobalt, nickel, copper, rare earth metals, critical for green technologies such as EV batteries, solar panels, etc.
China's growing interest is strategic: to diversify sources, control processing, and reinforce dominance in critical minerals value chains.

Technological Readiness and Capability:

China's Pioneer II mining prototype reached 4,000+ m depth (2024), indicating advancing technological capabilities.
However, it lags 2–5 years behind private companies like The Metals Company in nodule recovery technology.

Geopolitical Strategy:

China's partnerships with Cook Islands, Kiribati, and use of state-backed corporations reflect a strategy aimed at increasing diplomatic leverage in the Pacific and maintaining commodity control.
Despite not being urgently dependent on seabed minerals, it is ensuring strategic readiness.

Legal and Environmental Challenges:

S. is not a signatory to UNCLOS and not a member of the ISA, creating legal ambiguities.
Environmental groups argue that seabed mining risks irreversible damage to fragile ocean ecosystems.
Global consensus on mining code by ISA is still under negotiation.