Tag Archives: mining

Exploring ‘Dark Oxygen’: Scientists Research Its Impact in Deep Sea Mining Zones

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Experiment on Oxygen Production by Deep-Sea Nodule

Experiment on Oxygen Production with Deep-Sea Nodule

Nippon Foundation

Scientists are set to deploy instruments to the ocean floor to explore the intriguing process of metal nodules producing oxygen in the Pacific Ocean. This unexpected phenomenon has ignited significant debate regarding the ethics of deep-sea mining.

In a surprising revelation from 2024, researchers identified that a potato-sized formation in the depths of the Pacific and Indian Oceans—including the distinguished Clarion-Clipperton Zone—functions as a vital oxygen source. This discovery challenges the conventional belief that large-scale oxygen production derives solely from sunlight and photosynthesis.

Dubbed “dark oxygen,” this phenomenon sustains life within the abyss, including microorganisms, sea cucumbers, and predatory sea anemones thriving thousands of meters beneath the surface. This finding casts doubt on proposals from deep-sea mining companies aiming to extract cobalt, nickel, and manganese by removing nodules from the ocean floor. A controversial deep-sea mining company was involved in this discovery, prompting a call for further scientific investigation.

Now, the team responsible for discovering dark oxygen is returning to the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, the prime location for potential deep-sea mining, to verify its existence and comprehend the mechanisms behind its production.

“Where does the oxygen come from for these diverse animal communities to thrive?” asked Andrew Sweetman from the Scottish Marine Science Society. “This could be an essential process, and we’re focused on uncovering it.”

The researchers propose that a metallic layer in the nodule generates an electrical current which splits seawater into hydrogen and oxygen. They’ve recorded up to 0.95 volts of electricity on the surface of the nodules—just below the standard 1.23 volts necessary for electrolysis. However, the team suggests that individual nodules or clusters could produce higher voltages.

Plans are underway to deploy a lander, essentially a metal frame housing various instruments, to a depth of 10,000 meters to measure oxygen flow and pH changes, as the electrolysis process releases protons, increasing water acidity.

Research Lander Deployed Into the Ocean

Scottish Marine Science Society

Given the potential role of microorganisms in this process, the lander will also collect sediment cores and nodules for laboratory analysis. Each nodule is home to approximately 100 million microorganisms, which researchers aim to identify through DNA sequencing and fluorescence microscopy.

“The immense diversity of microorganisms is constantly evolving; we are continually discovering new species,” remarked Jeff Marlow from Boston University. “Are they active? Are they influencing their environment in crucial ways?”

Furthermore, since electrolysis is generally not observed under the intense pressures found on the ocean floor, the team intends to utilize a high-pressure reactor to replicate deep-sea conditions and conduct electrolysis experiments there.

“The pressure of 400 atmospheres is comparable to that at which the Titan submarine tragically imploded,” noted Franz Geiger from Northwestern University. “We seek to understand the efficiency of water splitting under such high pressure.”

The ultimate aim is to carry out electrochemical reactions in the presence of microorganisms and bacteria under an electron microscope without harming the microorganisms.

The United Nations’ International Seabed Authority has yet to decide on the legality of deep-sea mining in international waters, with U.S. President Donald Trump advocating for its implementation. The Canadian company, The Metals Company, has applied for authorization from the U.S. government to commence deep-sea mining operations.

A recent paper authored by Metals Company scientists contends that Sweetman and his colleagues have not produced sufficient energy to facilitate seawater electrolysis in 2024, suggesting the observed oxygen was likely transported from the ocean’s surface by the deployed landers.

Sweetman countered this claim, stating that the lander would displace any air bubbles on its descent, and asserted that oxygen measurement would not have occurred if deployed in other regions, such as the Arctic ocean floor, which is 4,000 meters deep. Out of 65 experiments conducted at the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, he noted that 10% exhibited oxygen consumption while the remainder indicated oxygen production.

Sweetman and his colleagues also discovered that the oxidation phase of the electrolysis process can occur at lower voltages than those recorded on the nodule’s surface. A rebuttal presenting this data has been submitted to Natural Earth Science and is currently under review.

“From a commercial perspective, there are definitely interests attempting to suppress research in this field,” stated Sweetman in response to the Metals Company’s opposition to his findings.

“It is imperative to address all comments, regardless of their origin,” added Marlowe. “That is our current predicament in this process.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Maximize Metal Resources for Clean Energy Without New Mining Operations

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Open-pit mining at the Kennecott Copper Mine, also referred to as the Bingham Canyon Mine in Utah

Witold Skrypczak/Alamy

The leftover ore discarded by the rice mines is rich in vital minerals. This resource is sufficient to furnish all the necessary components for clean energy technologies. By reclaiming a portion of these minerals, we can satisfy the country’s rising demand for green energy without relying on imports or creating new environmentally-friendly mines, although the process of extraction poses its own challenges.

“We must enhance our utilization of mining resources,” states Elizabeth Holly from the Colorado School of Mines.

Traditionally, most individual mines concentrate on extracting a limited range of minerals, such as copper and gold. This involves excavating and grinding the ore, followed by separating the primary product through various metallurgical processes. Ultimately, the residue is discarded as tailings. “It’s pointless to mine if we’re not utilizing all the resources,” says Holly.

These byproducts often contain additional valuable materials, including many crucial minerals identified by the US government as essential for military and energy technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries. However, certain supply chains for these minerals are controlled by China, raising urgent concerns for the US and its allies, prompting a search for alternative mineral sources, including mining byproducts and tailings.

Yet, many mining operations lack a clear understanding of what they are discarding. “Numerous minerals that are now deemed critical were seldom employed in the past, so they weren’t analyzed for recovery,” remarks Holly.


Holly and her colleagues examined thousands of ore samples and production data from mines across the US. They utilized this information to project the quantity of additional minerals that could be retrieved from 54 active hard rock metal mines should new purification steps be implemented.

In some cases, it was found that only 1% of the minerals contained in mining byproducts were recoverable. Other minerals necessitated recovery rates in the 10-90% range to replace imports. Additionally, certain metals, such as gold, platinum, and palladium, still require imports, even though 100% recovery is achievable from byproducts.

These findings imply that the US could fulfill the growing demand for critical minerals without the need for new mines, according to Holly. This strategy would help secure a stable supply chain and mitigate the environmental impacts of mining. “It makes more sense to optimize what we’re already mining,” she asserts.

According to Brian McNulty from the University of British Columbia in Canada, this presents “a significant opportunity,” although further research is required to transform estimates of mineral amounts into actual recoverable quantities. “We hope to not only engage government but also industry, encouraging a more thorough assessment of our mining practices,” he comments.

Identifying the whereabouts of these minerals isn’t the only challenge. Current purification technologies do not cater well to these small, complicated waste streams, and deploying the necessary technology is prohibitively expensive for many US mines. Megan O’Connor, from NTH Cycle, which specializes in extracting vital minerals from unconventional sources, highlights this issue.

Mines may also hesitate to invest in new mineral extraction methods when future demand remains uncertain. Whether concerning electric vehicle batteries or solar panels, “technological advancements occur significantly faster than changes in mining practices,” notes McNulty.

Despite skepticism regarding renewable energy, the Trump administration prioritized US mineral production as a key aspect of its agenda. Recently, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced nearly $1 billion in funding for unconventional mining initiatives, including $250 million aimed at mineral recovery from mining byproducts.

A spokesperson from the DOE asserts that the tailings at these mines represent “a significant opportunity within the nation” and could assist the United States in diversifying its sources of critical minerals and materials.

Nonetheless, this does not diminish support for new mines, as stated by the agency’s executive director, P. Wells Griffith III, during a DOE strategy workshop on August 20th. “We should never apologize for modern lifestyles and our abundant natural resources,” he affirmed.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Microwave Technology: A Game Changer for Mining Operations

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Nickel West, Australia, is among various mines that can use microwaves for CO2 storage in waste.

BHP

Mining produces billions of tons of waste rock annually. By reacting these unused rock piles with carbon dioxide, we can potentially eliminate considerable amounts of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The current technique, however, involves burning fossil fuels to heat rocks to high temperatures. Our findings suggest that activating carbon removal could allow these rocks to require less energy when reacting with CO2.

“It’s akin to microwave popcorn,” says Shawn Laurie, a technology developer at Arca, Canada. Instead of heating the entire rock, microwaves target specific molecules. This mechanism differs from how kitchen microwaves pop corn by heating water within the kernel.

Rocks serve to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, mitigating emissions from fossil fuel combustion. Some projects enhance rock weathering by spreading crushed volcanic rocks on farms, which mineralize CO2 as they dissolve. Others inject CO2 into similar underground rocks. Numerous companies, including ARCA, are focused on utilizing mine tailings from extracting metals like nickel and chromium.

These metals frequently arise from ores rich in magnesium-bearing serpentine, which reacts with CO2. According to an analysis by ARCA, approximately 28 billion tons of such tailings exist globally, with 3 billion tons produced each year. They estimate that current tailings can store up to 8.7 billion tons of CO2, roughly equivalent to two years’ worth of U.S. emissions.

However, serpentine does not react quickly under normal surface pressures and temperatures. Heating rocks to elevated temperatures significantly enhances their reactivity and accelerates CO2 mineralization. Yet, this process usually necessitates the burning of fossil fuels to generate heat.

Utilizing microwaves to heat the rocks brings various advantages, asserts Peter Schuman from Arca. Instead of burning fuel for heat, this method relies on clean electricity, using less energy than conventional heating. Additionally, the treatment time for rocks is significantly shorter. This potentially enables mining companies to incorporate microwave processes into tailing treatments or even utilize them as standalone systems, he notes.

An application for a patent from the company reveals that Schuman and his Arca colleagues have successfully treated serpentine with microwaves for several minutes, enhancing their reactivity to CO2, inducing chemical changes, and consuming less energy than traditional heat treatment.

“By energizing the rock, you break the bonds within that structure and release magnesium,” states Scheuermann, which then reacts with CO2. Treated serpentine has been shown to react with significantly higher amounts of CO2 than untreated rocks, mineralizing the gas at an accelerated rate.

“The improvements they demonstrate are quite remarkable,” comments Raphael Santos, who reviewed the patent application at the University of Guelph, Canada. However, he notes that it’s challenging to ascertain from the documentation alone the exact quantity of serpentine treated by microwaves and how these results might translate to practical scenarios.

Scheuermann has not specified the exact amounts expected from microwave treatment in terms of CO2 capture in serpentine but mentions, “It’s a tremendous increase—by several orders of magnitude in both reaction rate and capacity.”

Currently, the company is only testing its approach in the lab and has yet to sell any of its 700 tons of CO2 removal. However, Scheuermann indicates that the scaled-up process would include supplying rocks through a chute or conveyor belt. Additionally, they have developed an autonomous rover designed to mix the tailings for optimal air exposure. Once the reaction concludes, a fresh layer of tailings is applied.

“This preprocessing using microwaves significantly enhances the likelihood of CO2 storage,” states Quin Miller from the Pacific Northwest Research Institute in Washington. “It’s promising,” he adds, noting that the treatment process also aids in extracting nickel, an essential metal for battery production, from the rocks.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Apple Secures $500 Million Rare Earth Magnet Deal with U.S. Mining Firm

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Apple has entered into a $500 million agreement with a US company specializing in rare earth magnets, crucial for the production of electronic devices, following China’s reduction in rare and essential material exports.

This support comes after MP Materials, which runs the only rare earth mine in the US, finalized a multi-billion dollar agreement with the US Department of Defense last week, making the Pentagon its largest shareholder. Both agreements aim to address supply chain vulnerabilities after China limited its rare earth exports earlier this year in response to Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs.

The deal, revealed on Tuesday, guarantees Apple a consistent supply of rare earth magnets from China, the world’s leading producer. Analysts noted that the cost of bolstering US magnet production is minimal compared to the long-term risk of completely losing access to vital components for Apple.

“We are currently in an era where executives are willing to invest significantly for a dependable supply chain. They want to avoid interruptions,” remarked Greserin Bascaran, director of the Centre for Strategic and International Research’s Centre for Key Mineral Security Program.

Rare earth elements, a collection of 17 metals, are vital for creating powerful magnets, which are found in devices that vibrate mobile phones, as well as in weaponry, electric vehicles, and numerous other electronic products.

China imposed export limitations on rare earths in April in reaction to Trump’s tariffs. In June, the US and China reached an accord that settled many disputes over rare earths, but broader trade tensions still emphasize the need for non-Chinese supplies.

Under the agreement, Apple will prepay $20 million to MP for magnets due to start delivery in 2027. The duration of the transaction and the quantity of magnets involved were not disclosed by the company.

The agreement stipulates that magnets will be produced from recycled materials, aligning with Apple’s longstanding commitment to reducing dependence on mining. The magnets will be processed using operations in Fort Worth, MP, Texas, and recycled at Mountain Pass, MP, California.

“Rare earth materials are critical for developing advanced technologies, and this collaboration will enhance the availability of these essential materials in the United States,” stated Apple CEO Tim Cook in a statement.

Since the government announced its deal, MP Material’s stock price has nearly doubled. This is a notable turnaround from last year when CEO Jim Richinski expressed frustration over rare earth pricing that led to the merger with Australian competitors.

Bob O’Donnell, president of market research firm Technalysis Research, noted that Tuesday’s development is “entirely significant,” given Apple’s substantial requirement for rare earth magnets in its devices.

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“Additionally, by prioritizing US-based suppliers, we will help position Apple more proactively within Washington,” he added.

Apple stated that this agreement forms part of a four-year, $500 million investment commitment towards the US, while facing threats from Trump regarding an iPhone not manufactured in the US. Nevertheless, many analysts argue creating an iPhone in the US is impractical, given labor costs and the existing smartphone supply chain.

While Apple did not specify which devices will utilize the magnets, MP mentioned that this deal will provide magnets for hundreds of millions of devices, significantly impacting Apple’s product lineup.

MP expects to start producing mined and processed rare earth materials and commercial magnet production at its Texas facility by the end of this year.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Days After Trump’s Commitment to Underwater Mining, Tensions Mount Between Both Sides

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Shortly after President Trump issued an executive order to expedite submarine mining efforts, the US government received its first permission application. This initiative is championed by notable supporters within the metal industry.

On Tuesday, CEO Gerald Baron was present in Washington for a controversial hearing before the House Committee on Natural Resources. He likened the beginning of this process to a “starting gun” signaling a race to extract minerals like cobalt and nickel from nodules situated 2.5 miles deep on the ocean floor.

Debate erupted among committee members from both parties regarding the environmental implications of this mining practice. The Trump administration indicated it would contemplate permits for mining activities within US jurisdiction and international waters.

Other nations have accused the US of attempting to bypass international law, arguing that the waters designated for submarine mining should come under the governance of an independent international authority.

To date, no commercial submarine mining has been conducted.

California leader Jared Huffman, a ranking Democrat on the committee, criticized both the Metals Company and Trump for advancing undersea mining in “reckless cowboy fashion.” Democrats raised concerns over the financial viability of mining cobalt and nickel, citing major electric vehicle manufacturers’ shift towards alternative battery materials.

“The financial model of the industry is based on overly optimistic assumptions and does not reflect the realities and volatility of the global mineral market,” remarked Oregon Democrat Maxine E. Dexter.

The Metals Company attempted to reassure the committee, arguing that the potential harm to the seabed would outweigh the limited job creation and that accessing these minerals could reduce dependence on Chinese sources. They stated that a decade of extensive environmental studies supports their position.

Trump’s order follows years of delays by international authorities in establishing a regulatory framework for submarine mining. The authorities, established under United Nations auspices decades ago, are likely to miss another deadline this year for finalizing these regulations.

Baron informed the committee that it took him 14 years to draft the mining code, describing it as a “deliberate strategy” to slow undersea mining.

He further claimed that a polymetallic nodule extracted by his company is now on President Trump’s desk in the Oval Office.

According to the US Geological Survey, it is estimated that nodules within the Clarion Clipperton Zone in the Eastern Pacific contain more nickel, cobalt, and manganese than all terrestrial reserves combined. This proposed mining zone spans half the size of the US between Mexico and Hawaii.

Committee Chair Paul Gosar, a Republican from Arizona, insisted that subsea mining is essential for liberating the US from China’s “supply chain control.”

China has recently placed export restrictions on several rare earth elements, raising concerns that American companies may face shortages in producing advanced electronic devices.

The House Committee also considered a study discussing the impact of submarine mining on the seafloor conducted by Thomas Peacock, a mechanical engineering professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, partially funded by metal companies.

Dr. Peacock indicated that there may be countless undiscovered species in the Clarion Clipperton Zone, suggesting that certain areas should be off-limits for mining. However, he noted that the anticipated environmental impacts of nodule mining might not be as severe as speculated.

He specifically minimized the risk of mining causing plumes of sand and debris that could harm seabed life, comparing the fragments to “grains of sand in a fishbowl.”

In attendance with Mr. Baron was the CEO of Impossible Metals, a future deep-sea mining company. Unlike other companies that use vacuum-like extraction technologies along the ocean floor, Impossible Metals claims to have developed machines that can collect nodules selectively without disturbing the seabed.

“Our underwater robots hover to gather mineral-rich nodules from the seabed through AI-guided selective harvesting,” explained Oliver Gunasekara, CEO of Impossible Metals. “We avoid all visible marine life and leave 60% untouched.”

The company has reapplied for permission to conduct operations in US Samoa. Gunasekara noted that their previous applications were rejected during the Biden administration, but with new leadership in both American Samoa and Washington, he is optimistic about gaining approval.

Source: www.nytimes.com

The Trump Administration’s Push for Underwater Mining: What Are the Implications?

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Life beneath the Pacific Ocean is characterized by slowness, darkness, and tranquility. Unusual creatures shine and glimmer, while oxygen seeps mysteriously through rugged mineral rocks. The residents of these deep waters seldom interfere with one another.

“This area hosts an extraordinary form of life,” noted Bethany Orcutt, a geobiologist at the Bigelow Institute for Marine Science.

Given the harsh conditions, conducting deep-sea research is both challenging and infrequent due to its high costs.

On Thursday, President Trump endorsed a Presidential Order aimed at permitting industrial mining in underwater areas for the first time. Scientists have voiced strong concerns that such mining could irreversibly damage deep-sea ecosystems before their value and functions are fully understood.

Undersea mining can target three types of metal-rich sediments: nodules, crusts, and mounds, with current focus on nodules. Nodules are particularly valuable as they contain metals essential for the production of electronic devices, advanced weaponry, electric vehicle batteries, and other technologies crucial for human advancement. Nodules are also the simplest type of underwater mineral deposits to extract.

Economically viable nodules have been forming over millions of years, resting on the seabed indefinitely. They develop when small pieces of material, such as shark teeth, become embedded in the seabed. Minerals containing iron, manganese, and other metals gradually accumulate, resembling snowmen. Some can grow as large as grapefruit.

Life also thrives among these nodules. Microbial organisms, invertebrates, corals, and sponges inhabit them.

Lisa Levin, an oceanographer at the Institute of Oceanography, states that approximately half of the known marine life inhabiting the vast Abyssal Plains exists in these nodules. However, she explained, “I am unsure about the distribution of these species and whether individuals from mined sites can recolonize other areas.” “That’s a significant unknown.”

Two primary methods have been developed for harvesting nodules. One resembles a claw that drags along the seabed collecting nodules, while the other acts as a vacuum used in underwater operations.

In both methods, nodules are lifted to surface ships several miles above the seabed, with any remaining water, rocks, and debris released back into the sea.

Both approaches are invasive and can harm the underwater habitat itself. The extraction of nodules equates to the removal of essential ecosystem components, according to scientific consensus.

Mining operations introduce light and sound pollution, affecting not only the seabed but also the sea surface around the extraction vessels.

A major concern is the sediment plume generated by mining activities, described by Jeffrey Drazen, an oceanographer at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, as “the clearest seawater” at about 1,000 meters, which contributes to obscured environments. Sediment plumes can travel significant distances and harm marine life unpredictably.

The sediment can suffocate shrimp and sponge-like fish, obstructing filter feeders. It can also block essential light, impacting lantern fishes and making it difficult for them to find mates or prey. Furthermore, it may lead to contamination of seafood for human consumption.

“What are the chances of contaminating food supplies?” Dr. Drazen questioned. He expressed a desire for answers regarding this issue before mining commences, as the information is currently lacking.

The mining industry claims to be adopting a sustainable and environmentally responsible approach to deep-sea mining through research and collaboration with the scientific community.

Their research includes fundamental studies in seabed geology, biology, and chemistry, documenting thousands of species and providing valuable imagery and footage from the deep sea. Dr. Drazen noted that interest in undersea mining could promote research efforts that might otherwise be hard to fund.

Initial tests of recovery equipment have revealed some insights into the anticipated effects related to sediment plumes, yet modeling is limited in forecasting outcomes at a commercial scale.

Impossible Metals, a California-based underwater mining firm, utilizes artificial intelligence to create a transport container-sized underwater robot designed to harvest large, free-living nodules. In 2022, the Metals Company, a Canadian deep-sea mining entity, extracted approximately 3,000 tons of nodules from the ocean floor and gathered data regarding the sediment plume generated during the process.

In March, the Metals Company indicated plans to bypass international regulatory bodies associated with the United Nations overseeing submarine mining, instead seeking authorization through NOAA.

During an interview on Thursday, CEO Gerald Baron stated that the executive order “does not serve as a shortcut” for previous environmental assessments, emphasizing that the company has “conducted over a decade of environmental research.”

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly affirmed that the United States would adhere to two domestic laws governing deep-sea exploration and commercial endeavors within U.S. waters. “Both laws mandate extensive environmental impact assessments and compliance with stringent environmental standards,” she noted.

Many scientists harbor skepticism regarding the well-understood environmental consequences of underwater mining, as viable predictions about long-term results remain elusive.

Disturbing the base of the food chain can have cascading effects on the entire marine ecosystem. For instance, if sediments dilute the food supply for plankton, they could face starvation due to an inability to extract sufficient organic matter from the clouds of sea dust.

Small plankton serve as a fundamental food source, whether directly or indirectly, for nearly every marine organism, including whales.

Understanding potential impacts poses challenges due to the slow life processes at the seabed. Deep-sea fish can live for hundreds of years, while corals can endure for millennia.

“The timeline of life here is significantly different,” Dr. Levin explained. “It raises numerous uncertainties regarding responses to environmental disturbances.” Conducting 500-year experiments to ascertain whether these ecosystems can recover or adapt is a daunting task for humans.

Additionally, there’s no assurance that damaged habitats will be restored or that harm to the seabed will be mitigated. Unlike terrestrial mining, “a strategy for deep-sea mining is absent,” Dr. Oucht remarked. “There is currently no scientific evidence supporting the restoration of ecosystems post-damage.”

Some experts have raised concerns about the necessity of undersea mining, arguing that land-based mining could meet the growing metal demands.

Proponents of deep-sea mining assert that the environmental or carbon footprint is less significant compared to traditional mining practices for those same minerals.

“To date, there has been no actual recovery of minerals,” stated Amy Gartman, a marine researcher leading the U.S. Geological Survey’s Undersea Minerals Team, referring to commercial-scale mining. “We are comparing theoretical scenarios with actual land mining methods. Once someone initiates extraction in any of these ventures, we will gain a clearer understanding.”

Eric Lipton Reports of contributions.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Trump makes significant progress in advancing submarine mining in global waters

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President Trump has ordered the US government to take a major step towards mining vast areas below the sea. This is a move opposed by almost every other country, taking into account international waters from international waters for this type of industrial activity.

The executive order, signed Thursday, will circumvent a decades-old treaty ratified by all major coastal states except the United States. This is the latest example of the Trump administration’s willingness to ignore international institutions, and is likely to spark protests from American rivals and allies.

The order “establishes the United States as a global leader in submarine mineral exploration and development within and outside the national jurisdiction.” Text released by the White House.

Trump’s order directs the promotion of mining permits in both the National Maritime and Atmospheric Administration’s international waters and US territory.

Part of the seabed is covered with potato-sized nodules containing valuable minerals such as nickel, cobalt and manganese. These are essential to advanced technologies that the United States considers to be important to economic and military security, but its supply chain is increasingly controlled by China.

No commercial scale submarine mining has been carried out to date. The technical hurdles were high and there were serious concerns about the environmental impact.

As a result, in the 1990s, most countries agreed to join independent international submarine authorities that dominate the seabed mining of international waters. The Trump administration is relying on the US as it is not a signator The vague 1980 law This allows the federal government to issue submarine mining permits in international waters.

Many countries want to see undersea mining become a reality. But so far, it has been that economic orders should not take priority over the risk that mining could damage fisheries and marine food chains, or that it could affect the essential role of the ocean in absorbing carbon dioxide that warms the planet from the atmosphere.

Trump’s order comes after years of delays at the ISA in setting up a regulatory framework for undersea mining. Authorities have not yet agreed to the set of rules.

The executive order paves the way for metal companies, a well-known undersea mining company, to receive the first permission from NOAA to actively mine. A public company based in Vancouver, British Columbia It was disclosed in March It would ask the Trump administration to approve it through a US subsidiary to mine in international waters. The company has already spent more than $500 million on exploratory work.

“We have production-ready boats,” Gerald Baron, the company’s chief executive, said in an interview Thursday. “We have the means to process materials in friendly partner nations of the Alliance. We are missing out on permission to allow us to start.”

In anticipation of mining as a final allowance, companies like him have invested heavily in developing technologies to mine the seabed. They include a ship with huge claws that stretch to the seabed, and a self-driving vehicle mounted on a giant vacuum cleaner that scrutinizes the bottom of the ocean.

Some analysts have questioned the need to rush towards submarine mining, given the current excess of nickel and cobalt from traditional mining. Furthermore, manufacturers of electric vehicle batteries, one of the main markets in metals, are heading towards battery designs that rely on other factors.

Nevertheless, the projection of future demand for metals generally remains high. And Trump’s escalating trade war with China threatens to limit America’s access to some of these important minerals. These include rare earth elements that can also be found in trace amounts of submarine nodules.

US Geological Survey It is estimated Nodules in a single belt of the Eastern Pacific, known as the Clarion Kriparton Zone, contain more nickel, cobalt and manganese than all ground reserves combined. The area in the open ocean between Mexico and Hawaii is about half the size of the continent of the United States.

The Metals Company’s contract site is located in the Clarion-Clipperton zone, with the oceans averaged around 2.5 miles deep. The company will first apply for exploitation permission under the 1980 law.

Source: www.nytimes.com

The Trump family expands their business empire with a new bitcoin mining venture

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Two of President Trump’s sons
made an announcement on Monday that they were investing in a new Bitcoin mining venture, further expanding the family’s business interests in the crypto industry.

Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. revealed their partnership with Bitcoin mining company HUT 8 to establish a new company called American Bitcoin. Bitcoin mining is a lucrative sector within the crypto industry, involving large companies that operate energy-intensive machines to process Bitcoin transactions.

“From the beginning, we have expressed our belief in Bitcoin both personally and through our businesses,” stated Donald Trump Jr. “But merely purchasing Bitcoin is only part of the equation; mining it with favorable economics opens up even greater opportunities.”

HUT 8 will oversee 80% of the new venture, with the remaining 20% held by a business entity named American Data Centers Inc., which includes investments from the two Trump sons. The announcement on Monday by HUT 8 named Eric Trump as the co-founder of the mining venture, where he will serve as the chief strategy officer.

This mining project marks the third major crypto venture launched by the Trump family in the past year. During the presidential campaign, Donald Trump and his sons introduced World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency company offering various digital currencies, including the recently announced “stubcoin.”

Subsequently, just before Trump’s inauguration, he and Melania Trump launched Memocoin, a cryptocurrency inspired by online jokes and mascots.

These business endeavors have raised concerns among government ethics experts due to potential conflicts of interest. Since taking office, Trump has relaxed regulations in the crypto industry and proposed the establishment of government reserves for Bitcoin and other digital currencies.

Four years ago, Trump was critical of Bitcoin and dismissed it as a “scam.” Now, he frequently touts plans to make the United States the “crypto capital of the world.”

Bitcoin mining has drawn significant criticism within the crypto industry. While Bitcoin initially attracted amateur investors, the process now requires substantial computing power, leading to the operation of large data centers by companies like Hut 8 to facilitate Bitcoin transactions.

The Trump family’s mining venture traces back to February when investment firm Dominali Holdings announced the creation of American Data Centers Inc. At that time, Eric Trump, a member of Dominari’s advisory board, stated that the venture aimed to develop computing infrastructure for the artificial intelligence industry.

However, the immediate focus has shifted to Bitcoin mining. The Trump family’s venture will concentrate on operating Bitcoin mining machines and amassing a significant cryptocurrency reserve, as disclosed in the announcement. In a recent
post on the X platform, Eric Trump mentioned plans to present a “vision and strategy” for American Bitcoin in a live stream.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Scientists believe that Earth’s recent discovery of a new mini-moon indicates significant potential for space mining.

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Our planet’s new small satellite, 2024 PT5, arrived in Earth’s orbit on September 29, 2024.

2024 PT5 is scheduled to capture a temporary flyby from September 29th to November 25th in 2024. Image credit: University of Colorado.

2024 PT5 was discovered by the Asteroid Earth Impact Final Warning System in Sutherland, South Africa on August 7, 2024.

This near-Earth asteroid is about 10 meters (33 feet) in diameter and follows an orbit similar to that of 2022 NX1.

2024 PT5 will become a mini-Earth satellite on September 29 and return to heliocentric orbit 56.6 days later on November 25.

“Near-Earth objects like this offer a glimpse into the formation process of the solar system,” said astrophysicist Dr. Nico Cappellutti. University of Miami.

“Most asteroids in our solar system are rocky remnants left over from the formation of our solar system.”

2024 PT5 is part of Arjuna, an asteroid belt made up of space rocks that follow an orbit around the sun very similar to Earth’s orbit.

“So sometimes they can remain temporarily trapped in our gravitational field,” Dr. Cappellutti said.

“Bringing them this close is a fascinating opportunity.”

“The asteroid, the size of a school bus, is too faint and small to be seen with the naked eye or with amateur telescopes, but its two-month stay around Earth has reinforced our intense interest in space rocks. It helps maintain.”

Two years ago, in what was called the first test of the planetary defense system, NASA crashed a spacecraft into the giant space rock Dimorphos, which could change direction if the asteroid was on a collision course with Earth. proved something.

Private companies also want to send spacecraft to asteroids in hopes of mining the precious metals they contain.

“Asteroids are classified based on their orbits and their contents,” said Dr. Bertrand Dano, also from the University of Miami.

“Some are made entirely of stone, while others contain high concentrations of rare metals, such as platinum and gold for electronics, nickel and cobalt for catalysts and fuel cell technology, and, of course, iron.”

“Mining asteroids is not far off. There are currently millions of asteroids in our solar system, about 2 million of which are larger than 1 km.”

“The resources it contains are a new dream for El Dorado, and there are several companies currently betting on it.”

“Recent missions to rendezvous with, orbit and land on asteroids have proven that space mining may be only a matter of time.”

“However, proceeding with asteroid mining will require huge investments, from the mining equipment that needs to operate in a vacuum to the technology needed to transport the extracted minerals to Earth.”

“And then there’s the spacecraft itself. A dedicated ship that would travel to an asteroid for the purpose of extracting minerals from the asteroid would probably be a robotic ship.”

“A trip to Mars would take about eight months under the best conditions. The space and equipment needed to support life would be put to good use as storage for backup equipment and resources.”

“Because it takes a lot of energy to leave Earth’s gravity, mining missions are better launched from space or from low-gravity bodies such as the Moon, Mars, or Titan, one of Saturn’s natural moons. Sho.”

“Returning to Earth is relatively easy, but dangerous for the material. It would be a shame if all the prizes disappeared. Refining will take place in space, and purified products can be shipped regularly. As far as I know, no one is thinking that far.”

“Yet, asteroid mining could have a 100-fold or more return.”

“Mining platinum or gold from an asteroid and returning it could make you a trillionaire overnight, potentially upending entire economies, trade and markets.”

“Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson once said, ‘The first billionaire in history was the one who exploited the natural resources of asteroids.'”

Source: www.sci.news

Threat to great apes from mining for electric car batteries

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Noise pollution, habitat loss and disease spread associated with mining could threaten chimpanzee populations in some African countries

Ali Wid/Shutterstock

More than a third of Africa's great apes are threatened by soaring demand for minerals essential to creating green energy technologies such as electric vehicles.

Africa has about one-sixth of the world's remaining forests, and its habitat is in countries such as Ghana, Gabon, and Uganda. The continent is also home to his four species of great apes: chimpanzees, bonobos, and two gorillas.

However, many of these great apes live in areas that mining companies are eyeing as potential places to extract goods. for example, More than 50 percent of the world's cobalt and manganese reserves are found in Africa22 percent of graphite.

To assess the scale of the threat to great ape populations, Jessica Juncker Researchers at Re:wild, a non-profit conservation organization in Austin, Texas, analyzed available data on the location of operating and planned mines and the density and distribution of great ape populations across 17 African countries. Superimposed.

The research team considered both direct impacts on great ape populations, such as noise pollution, habitat loss, and disease spillover, as well as indirect disturbances, such as building new service roads, to A 50km “buffer zone” was created around the area. And infrastructure.

A total of 180,000 great apes, just over a third of the continent's population, may be threatened by mining activities, researchers have found.

The West African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Guinea had the greatest overlap between great ape populations and mining sites. In Guinea, a study found that 83 percent of the great ape population could be affected by mining.

Juncker said the team was only considering industrial mining projects. The threat may be even greater when considering the impact of man-made mines, where miners typically work in primitive and often dangerous environments.

Cobalt, manganese, and graphite are all used to make lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles. Other materials found in these countries, such as bauxite, platinum, copper, graphite, and lithium, are used to power hydrogen, wind turbines, solar panels, and other green technologies.

Juncker argues that companies should stop mining in areas important to great apes and instead focus on recycling these important materials from waste. “There is great potential in metal reuse,” she says. “All we need to do is consume more sustainably. Then it will be possible to leave at least some of the areas that are so important to great apes intact.”

She is also calling on mining companies to publicly conduct biodiversity assessments of potential mining sites. “Increasing transparency is the first step.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

US judge stops government from monitoring energy usage of cryptocurrency mining.

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The U.S. government has halted an investigation into a cryptocurrency mining operation over its rising energy use following a lawsuit from an industry accused by environmental groups of fueling the climate crisis.

A federal judge in Texas granted an interim order blocking new requirements to verify cryptocurrency miners’ energy use, stating that the industry would suffer “irreparable harm” if forced to comply.

The U.S. Department of Energy launched an “emergency” initiative last month to examine the energy usage of mining operations, which use computational power to mine currencies like Bitcoin.

The growth of cryptocurrencies and mining activities has led to a surge in electricity usage, with data centers popping up and even reviving coal-fired power plants for mining operations.

The federal government requires more information on big miners’ electricity use, as mining facilities provided a significant portion of total U.S. electricity demand last year. Globally, cryptocurrency mining is responsible for a notable portion of energy consumption.

Campaigners warn that the increased electricity consumption from cryptocurrency mining exacerbates the climate crisis, with mining operations releasing significant amounts of carbon dioxide each year.

Cryptocurrency mining is straining power grids, with instances of Bitcoin companies receiving energy credits to reduce power usage during peak demand periods.

The industry has managed to avoid an investigation it deems burdensome, citing political motives from the government. The debate continues on the regulation of cryptocurrency mining in the U.S.

The Blockchain Council of Texas and other groups argue that the government’s actions are aimed at limiting or eliminating Bitcoin mining in the U.S., causing concerns for the industry and its employees.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Akron Energy secures $110 million investment to expand Bitcoin mining operations and launch AI cloud services in Norway

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Akron Energy data center infrastructure company has closed a $110 million private funding round to expand its business, CEO Josh Payne exclusively tells TechCrunch.

The round was led by Bluesky Capital Management with participation from Kestrel 0x1, Nural Capital, and Florence Capital.

The company was founded in 2021 and started with a 5-megawatt site in Australia. Since then, its output has grown to over 130 MW, and it has expanded to other countries and regions such as the United States and Europe.

“These sites are attractive to both Bitcoin miners and AI.” [or] It’s a machine learning client that requires very high-powered computing,” Payne said. By the way, statistics show that 1 megawatt can power 400 to 900 homes per year. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Approximately $80 million will be used to acquire an additional 200 megawatts of capacity across new data centers in Ohio, North Carolina, and Texas as part of the company’s plan to increase its total megawatt capacity by 130% by mid-2024. be exposed. This is in addition to an existing 100-megawatt facility in Ohio that Akron purchased in June, Payne noted.

“The United States is an attractive market for us in many ways, primarily due to huge domestic customer demand, a mature and robust energy industry with multiple flexible deregulated markets, and a strong political and・Regulatory stability and attractiveness to institutional investors,” Payne said. “The United States has a wealth of underutilized and stranded generation assets that are connected to some of the lowest-cost power sources in the world, many of which are renewable.”

Payne said the majority of the company’s U.S. data center portfolio is made up of institutional-grade Bitcoin mining companies. “We are essentially landlords who own the underlying infrastructure assets.”

Akron’s business model is focused on strategically acquiring distressed data center assets around the world. “The current and future demand for data center capacity of all types seen around the world, especially in the United States, is unprecedented and huge. We have energy-intensive platforms that require significant amounts of electrical infrastructure.”

The remaining $30 million will be used to develop an artificial intelligence cloud services project at Akron’s data center in Norway to help serve the generative AI and large-scale language model training markets. “Over the past year, we have seen a significant acceleration in market demand for generative AI and large-scale learning model applications,” he said.

However, there is a lack of specialized physical infrastructure to power computers and support most of these products. Akron aims to fill that gap by providing the underlying infrastructure layer that the AI ​​sector relies on.

Over the past year, with spot ETF approval looming, on top of Bitcoin’s potential growth and adoption in the mainstream institutional market, there has been a “meteorous rise in AI applications,” such as Akron’s Specialized data centers are “poised to continue to grow exponentially,” Payne said.

Source: techcrunch.com

ServiceNow to further explore task mining through recent acquisition

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ServiceNow announced this morning It is said that it is acquiring a Czech task mining company. Ultimate Suite This gives companies new ways to see and understand the flow of work in their business. The companies haven’t disclosed the price, but the three-year-old startup has raised 768,000 euros (about $839,000), so it’s probably not that big of a deal.

Task mining is part of process mining, a growing global market that helps companies understand the flow of work within an organization, look for bottlenecks, and increase efficiency. please consider that selonis, one of the leading startups in this space, has raised $2.4 billion and is valued at $13 billion as of October 2022. Ultimate Suite is substantially smaller, having raised less than $1 million, but it provides another tool to ServiceNow’s task mining arsenal, says Eduardo, ServiceNow’s vice president and general manager of process mining. His manager is Mr. Chiocconi.

Before acquiring Ultimate Suite, the company had the ability to drill down into workflows, but not down to the user task level. “And when we investigated and discovered where certain inefficiencies were, we lacked the ability to inspect or understand what individual users were doing. , that’s exactly what Ultimate Suite Task Mining is here to help us with,” Chiocconi told his TechCrunch.

He says the goal is actually to build more efficient business processes, and the addition of Ultimate Suite gives them more capabilities to do that. “Insights without action are of little value, so once we find out exactly what needs to be fixed, we also have the ability to automate some of the inefficiencies for end-to-end efficiency.” The idea is to offer it on the same platform. Finish the business process.”

The plan is to integrate Ultimate Suite’s functionality with ServiceNow’s process mining capabilities. “If you look at how ServiceNow has made acquisitions in the past, we pride ourselves on organically building these capabilities into our integrated platform,” Chiocconi said. This means that it will no longer be sold as a separate product. “Our overall objective is to re-platform all of this IP and create more value for our customers by learning how it can be derived from Ultimate Suite and surface as an organic extension of process mining. to bring about.”

This is ServiceNow’s third acquisition related to AI and automation in the past few years. Get AI-powered workflow tools G2K in May This year, and at the end of 2020, Canadian startup Element AI joined us.

Source: techcrunch.com