Did anyone watch the 60 Minutes episode from a few years back about China Deep Sea Mining? My brief back if the napkin math told me irs not profitable - I worry more about current dredging of the oceans for food today. Deep Sea mining is not cost effective unless metal ores triple in price or more - if anyone has the math on cobalt, copper, and other breakeven prices (let alone profit) please reply or DM me. From AI (watch the 60 minutes episode because the US may not have signed any treaty on the seas but China violates maritime environmental laws especially fishing worse than Japan Whaling.)

China is a major player in the growing field of deep-sea mining, with a focus on extracting critical minerals, and has made significant technological advancements in this area, including developing deep-sea mining vehicles and ships. 

Here's a more detailed look at China's involvement in deep-sea mining:

Technological Advancements:

Deep-Sea Mining Vehicles:

China has developed a deep-sea mining vehicle called "Kaituo 2," which has successfully completed sea trials, reaching a depth of 4,102.8 meters (13,460.6 feet) in the western Pacific. 

Oceanographic Drilling Ship:

China unveiled its first oceanographic drilling ship, capable of mining at depths of 10,000 meters, showcasing its rapid advancements in deep-sea mining technology. 

Deep-Sea Mining Ships:

China has also developed deep-sea mining ships, which are equipped with mining machines that can level the seabed, crush and collect ore, and transport it to the ship. 

"Nautilus New Era":

China's first deep sea prospecting ship, "Nautilus New Era", faced obstacles such as reliance on imported equipment and materials, but China overcame these challenges and completed the construction of the ship. 

Strategic Goals and International Involvement:

Critical Mineral Dependence:

China's deep-sea mining efforts are driven by a desire to reduce its reliance on imported strategic minerals, particularly lithium and cobalt. 

International Seabed Authority (ISA):

China is actively engaged in the ISA negotiations regarding deep-sea mining regulations, pushing back on a moratorium on mining and seeking to shape the future framework for its commercial exploitation. 

Exploration Contracts:

China holds five out of the 31 ISA exploration contracts, the most of any country, giving it a unique position to shape the market for seabed minerals and the rules governing their exploitation. 

Deep-Sea Law:

In 2016, China adopted a Deep Sea Law to set regulations for deep-sea exploration and exploitation activities, including licensing, environmental impact assessments, and monitoring requirements. 

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):

China and Cook Islands signed an MoU in February 2025 to collaborate on researching and potentially extracting seabed critical minerals, signaling Beijing's growing interest in the South Pacific. 

Environmental Concerns:

While China has made technological advancements in deep-sea mining, there are concerns about the potential environmental impacts of such activities, with many scientists fearing the effects on deep-sea ecosystems that remain understudied. 

International Cooperation:

China is also seeking to build alliances with countries that support deep-sea mining to control and extract the wealth of critical resources in the world's largely unexplored ocean depths. 

Key Companies and Organizations:

China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association (COMRA):

A Chinese state-owned company that has been actively involved in deep-sea mining research and exploration. 

China Minmetals Corporation:

Another Chinese company that holds licenses in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) for deep-sea mining. 

Beijing Pioneer Hi-Tech Development Corporation (BPHD):

A Chinese company that holds licenses in the Western Pacific Ocean for deep-sea mining. 

Jinhang Group:

A Chinese-based company that has attracted millions in early-stage investments and signed a series of contracts to develop China's first commercial deep-sea mining robot by 2025.