Pacific Island Country Eyes Deep Ocean Mining

Deep-Sea Mining in the Cook Islands: A Tension Between Opportunity and Conservation

The MV Anuanua Moana, a 1,000‑tonne research vessel, has recently cut through the turquoise waters of Rarotonga, heading toward the archipelago’s outer reaches in search of the polymetallic nodules that lie beneath the ocean floor. These nodules, rich in cobalt, nickel and manganese, hold the promise of powering the next generation of electric cars, batteries and advanced alloys.

Prospecting for a $4 billion Future

Hans Smit, chief executive of Moana Minerals, positioned his converted supply ship as a “research vessel with chemistry labs, sonar arrays and deep‑sea sensors.” “We’re looking at an estimated $4 billion in potential value,” he said. The company boasts rights to explore a sprawling 20,000 km² (7,500 sq miles) zone in the Cook Islands’ exclusive economic zone, as well as one of only four global nodule deposits.

When the Industry Sees a Rush

• Demand spurred by the rise of electric vehicles and renewable energy has turned the deep ocean into a new “gold rush.”
• Academics from the University of Queensland highlight the Cook Islands as the world’s largest and richest sovereign nodule deposit.
• Companies aim to start production before 2030, with Smit claiming that a single mining vessel would make their operation “one of the largest mines around.”

Local Concerns and Cultural Reverence

For the Cook Islands—a nation of roughly 17,000 people spread over volcanic islands and coral atolls—water is not just a resource, it’s a sacred part of identity. Tour guides, retirees, and pearl farmers voice apprehension about potential environmental harm:

• “Why are we inviting foreign interests to destroy our ocean?” – Tour guide Ngametua Mamanu (55)
• “We think these people will profit and leave the mess for us.” – Retiree Ana Walker (74)
• “If everything goes well, there could be financial benefits, but only if science deems it safe.” – Pearl farmer James Kora (31)

Environmental Risks

• Deep‑sea mining could generate fine sediment plumes that smother marine life.
• Robotic dredgers create noise that may disrupt deep‑sea species and migrations.
• Scientists admit they understand little about this unexplored part of the ocean, making them uneasy “guinea pigs” for large‑scale operations.

Policy, Partnerships and the Path Ahead

While the Cook Islands can mine its own waters without the International Seabed Authority’s approval, it still seeks alignment with global regulations. The country holds one of 17 contracts to search for nodules in the Clarion‑Clipperton Zone, another international sector.

Officials have expressed cautious optimism, stating that timelines will be guided by scientific data. However, neighboring nations and environmental leaders remain skeptical of the industry, with President Emmanuel Macron condemning the “predatory” nature of deep‑sea mining.

Strategic Alliances

Despite the backlash, the Cook Islands signed an agreement with China earlier this year to conduct seabed research—an arrangement that, according to the Seabed Minerals Authority, indicates the nation’s willingness to collaborate on a global scale. “We understand the interests that come with China’s engagement in the Pacific,” said Edward Herman.

The coming months will see international bodies, local governments, scientists and communities converge on a complex decision: whether the deep‑sea mining opportunity can coexist with the pristine marine ecosystems that define the Cook Islands’ heritage.