Deep-Sea Mining Market Expands as Governments and Industries Race to Secure Critical Mineral Supply Chains

The deep-sea mining market is gaining traction as governments and industries seek secure access to critical minerals needed for electric vehicles, renewable energy, electronics, and defense applications. Rising demand for battery metals, depletion of land-based resources, supportive government initiatives, and advancements in underwater mining technologies are driving market expansion across major regions.

Ottawa, Jan. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The deep-sea mining market is expanding as rising demand for critical minerals, depletion of land-based resources, and strategic government initiatives drive exploration of seabed reserves. Growing adoption of electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and advanced electronics, along with progress in underwater mining technologies, is strengthening the market’s long-term growth outlook.

According to Precedence Research, the global deep-sea mining market is expected to grow at a notable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2025 and 2034. The growing demand for critical minerals and increased exploration of deep-sea resources drive the market growth.

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What is Deep-Sea Mining?

The deep-sea mining market growth is driven by the strong focus on decarbonization, well-developed renewable energy infrastructure, the depletion of land-based reserves, focus on mineral independence, and the rapid growth in the development of high-tech electronics.

Deep-sea mining refers to the extraction of valuable minerals from the deep sea. The types of deep-sea mining are seafloor massive sulfides, polymetallic nodules, and cobalt-rich crusts. The autonomous underwater vehicles are used for the collection of valuable minerals from the deep sea. The applications of deep-sea mining are defense systems, batteries, and high-technology devices.

Deep-Sea Mining Industry Highlights:

• Asia Pacific led the global market in 2025, accounting for 55% of total revenue, driven by strong government support and rising demand for critical minerals.
• Europe is projected to record the fastest regional growth during the forecast period, supported by offshore exploration initiatives and EV battery development.
• Polymetallic nodules dominated the market by resource type in 2025, capturing a 50% share, owing to their high metal concentration and ease of extraction.
• Cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts are expected to be the fastest-growing resource segment, fueled by rising demand from renewable energy and defense applications.
• Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) held the largest share by mining technique in 2025, contributing 40% of market revenue, due to their safety, reliability, and real-time operational control.
• Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR, supported by advances in artificial intelligence integration, cost efficiency, and seabed mapping capabilities.
• Battery metals for electric vehicles emerged as the leading application segment, representing 45% of the market in 2025, driven by accelerating EV adoption worldwide.
• Renewable energy storage is expected to be the fastest-growing application, aligned with global clean energy and net-zero targets.
• Automotive & electric mobility dominated end-use industries in 2025, holding a 48% market share, supported by increasing EV production and battery manufacturing.
• The energy & power sector is projected to witness the fastest growth, driven by investments in renewable energy infrastructure and grid-scale storage systems.

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Major Government Initiatives for the Deep-Sea Mining Industry:

1. India’s Deep Ocean Mission (DOM): This flagship ₹4,077 crore initiative focuses on developing deep-sea technologies like the MATSYA 6000 manned submersible and an integrated mining system for extracting polymetallic nodules.
2. Norway's Seabed Mining Exploration Permits: In early 2025, Norway moved to allow companies to apply for exploration licenses in its exclusive economic zone, though commercial award timelines face ongoing political budget negotiations.
3. The International Seabed Authority ( ISA ) "Mining Code": Throughout 2025, the ISA held intensive negotiations to finalize a legal framework for commercial exploitation in international waters, aiming to resolve environmental and financial deadlock between member states.
4. Cook Islands Exploration Licenses: The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority is actively managing three exploration licenses granted for cobalt-rich nodules within its territorial waters to secure long-term economic growth.
5. China's Strategic Maritime Strategy: China continues to lead in deep-sea exploration, having secured the most  ISA exploration contracts globally to ensure supply chain security for critical minerals needed for green technologies.
   

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What are the Key Trends of the Deep-Sea Mining Market?

• Increasing demand for critical minerals: The global push for clean energy technologies like electric vehicles and wind turbines is driving unprecedented demand for metals such as cobalt, nickel, and manganese, which are abundant in deep-sea mineral deposits.
  
• Rapid technological advancements: Innovations in underwater robotics, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and remote sensing are making deep-sea exploration and extraction operations more feasible and efficient. 

Deep-Sea Mining Market Opportunity

Expanding Electronic Industry Surges Demand for Deep-Sea Mining

The continuous growth in the production of electronic gadgets and the expansion in the development of electronic devices require deep-sea mining. The increased manufacturing of electronic components and the increasing need for batteries in gadgets require deep-sea mining. The high rate of production of consumer electronics requires critical minerals.

The increasing use of smartphones and the high utilization of laptops increases demand for critical minerals that require deep-sea mining. The expansion of the electronic industry increases demand for nickel, manganese, and cobalt. The expanding electronic industry creates an opportunity for the growth of the deep-sea mining industry.   

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Deep-Sea Mining Market Report Scope

Report Coverage	Details
Base Year	2025
Forecast Years	2025 to 2034
Historic Years	2021 to 2024
Dominating Region	Asia Pacific – Holds the largest market share due to abundant seabed mineral reserves, increasing government-backed exploration programs, and strong demand from battery manufacturing, EVs, and renewable energy industries.
Fastest Growing Region	Europe – Expected to grow at the fastest pace owing to pilot mining initiatives, strategic partnerships, and increasing focus on responsible sourcing of critical minerals.
Segments Covered	Resource Type, Mining Technique, Application, End-Use Industry, Region
Regions Covered	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Primary Market Drivers	Rising global demand for critical minerals such as cobalt, nickel, copper, and rare earth elements used in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and advanced electronics.
Key Market Trends	Rapid integration of advanced technologies including AI, robotics, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to improve efficiency, safety, and precision in deep-sea operations.
Major Challenges	High capital and operational costs, environmental concerns, regulatory uncertainty, and limited commercial-scale mining experience.
Growth Opportunities	Development of sustainable mining practices, establishment of onshore mineral processing hubs, and technological advancements reducing operational risks and costs.
Resource Type Insights	Polymetallic nodules represent the largest share due to their high concentration of nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper; cobalt-rich crusts are expected to witness the fastest growth.
Mining Technique Insights	ROV-based mining dominates due to proven operational reliability; AUVs are gaining traction for autonomous exploration and data collection.
Application Insights	Battery metals for electric vehicles represent the leading application segment, followed by renewable energy storage and advanced electronics manufacturing.
End-Use Industry Insights	Automotive and electric mobility industries dominate demand; energy and power sectors are emerging as high-growth end-use industries.
Competitive Landscape	Market characterized by strategic collaborations, long-term exploration licenses, technology partnerships, and increasing investment in sustainability-focused mining solutions.
Regulatory & Environmental Outlook	Growing emphasis on environmental impact assessments, biodiversity protection, and international regulatory frameworks shaping long-term market development.

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Deep-Sea Mining Market Regional Outlook

Why Asia Pacific Dominates the Deep-Sea Mining Market?

Asia Pacific dominated the market with a 55% share in 2025. The strong presence of a renewable energy manufacturing base and the increasing use of critical minerals increase demand for deep-sea mining. The upsurge in the adoption of electric vehicles and strong government backing for exploration require deep-sea mining. The decline of land-based resources and well-established seabed areas increases demand for deep-sea mining, driving the overall market growth.

India Deep-Sea Mining Market Trends

India's market is gaining strategic importance as the country focuses on securing critical minerals such as polymetallic nodules to support clean energy, electronics, and advanced manufacturing sectors. Government-led initiatives, particularly through the Deep Ocean Mission and the National Institute of Ocean Technology, are accelerating exploration activities in the Indian Ocean under international regulations. Technological advancements in underwater robotics, remotely operated vehicles, and seabed mapping are improving the feasibility and accuracy of deep-sea resource assessments.

Which Region is Experiencing the Fastest Growth in the Deep-Sea Mining Industry?

Europe is experiencing the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period. The growing demand for critical minerals and the increased offshore extraction of activities increase the demand for deep-sea mining. The increasing use of autonomous underwater vehicles helps market expansion. The development of EV batteries and the abundance of deep-seabed nodules create demand for deep-sea mining, supporting the overall market growth.

Norway Deep-Sea Mining Market Trends

Norway is leading the European market due to its strong offshore resource expertise, advanced marine technology capabilities, and supportive government policies. The country has extensive experience in offshore oil and gas exploration, which provides a solid technological and regulatory foundation for deep-sea mineral activities. Norway's access to mineral-rich seabed areas on its continental shelf has further strengthened its leadership position.

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Deep-Sea Mining Market Segmentation Insights:

Resource Type Insights

Why the Polymetallic Nodules Segment Dominates the Deep-Sea Mining Market in 2025?

The polymetallic nodules segment dominated the market with a 50% share in 2025. The increased production of renewable energy batteries and the strong push for energy transition increase demand for polymetallic nodules. The ease of collection, excellent metal concentration, and abundance of polymetallic nodules drive the market growth.

The cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts segment is the fastest-growing in the market during the forecast period. The growth in the development of wind turbines and the increasing focus on decarbonization increase demand for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts. The growing innovations in defense technologies and the high production of renewable energy storage require cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts, supporting the overall market growth.

Mining Technique Insights

How did the Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) Segment hold the Largest Share in the Deep-Sea Mining Market in 2025?

The remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) segment held the largest revenue share of 40% in the market in 2025. The strong focus on human life safety and the increasing need for real-time data transmission increase demand for ROVs. The need for precise adjustments and complex tasks like equipment assembly & pipeline inspection increases demand for ROVs. The cost-effectiveness and operational durability of ROVs drive the overall market growth.

The autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) segment is experiencing the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period. The growing use of minerals in renewable energy and the focus on collecting high-resolution data increase demand for AUVs. The presence of unexplored seabed and the focus on environmental monitoring require AUVs. The operational efficiency, easy AI integration, and cost-efficiency of AUVs support the overall market growth.

Application Insights

Which Application Dominates the Deep-Sea Mining Market?

The battery metals for the EVs segment dominated the market with a 45% share in 2025. The surge in the sale of electric vehicles and the expansion of electric vehicle development increase demand for battery metals. The development of battery components and the increasing awareness about pollution create demand for EVs that require battery metals, driving the overall market growth.

The renewable energy storage segment is the fastest-growing in the market during the forecast period. The shift towards clean energy resources and a strong focus on energy independence increases demand for renewable energy storage. The increased production of solar panels and the focus on achieving net-zero targets require renewable energy storage. The development of wind turbines supports the overall market growth.

End-Use Industry Insights

Why did the Automotive & Electric Mobility Segment hold the Largest Share in the Deep-Sea Mining Market in 2025?

The automotive & electric mobility segment held the largest revenue share of 48% in the market in 2025. The increasing use of electric vehicles and the growing manufacturing of automotive parts increases demand for deep-sea mining. The increased production of battery EV components and the presence of companies like Renault & BMW drive the market growth.

The energy & power segment is experiencing the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period. The net-zero goals and the increasing investment in energy independence increase demand for deep-sea mining. The shift towards transition to clean energy and the higher demand for power require deep-sea mining, supporting the overall market growth.

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Deep-Sea Mining Market-Value Chain Analysis

Feedstock Procurement

The stage of feedstock procurement in deep-sea mining acquires raw materials like iron, cobalt, nickel, manganese, platinum, copper, and REEs.

• Key Players: - GSR, Loke Marine Minerals, The Metals Company, Ocean Minerals LLC
  

Chemical Synthesis and Processing

The stage of chemical synthesis & processing in deep-sea mining consists of steps like leaching, flotation, purification, extraction, and waste management.

• Key Players: - COMRA, Ecolab , TMC, Global Sea Mineral Resources
  

Quality Testing and Certification 

Quality testing and certification in deep-sea mining involves analyzing seabed minerals to verify their composition, metal content, and purity. It ensures that extracted resources comply with technical standards, environmental regulations, and sustainability requirements.

• Key Players:   International Seabe, Office, and ALS Limited.
  

Deep-Sea Mining Market Companies Revenue Share (%) in 2025

Top Companies in the Deep-Sea Mining Market & Their Offerings:

• Nautilus Minerals Inc: Originally a pioneer, it went bankrupt in 2019 and is currently undergoing restructuring while its assets are managed by Deep Sea Mining Finance Ltd.
• The Metals Company (TMC): A leading developer targeting battery metals (nickel, cobalt) from the Pacific CCZ, TMC achieved world-first nodule reserves in 2025 and aims for commercial production by late 2027.
• Ocean Minerals, LLC: Focusing on critical metals in the Cook Islands, it recently reported a massive primary cobalt resource and is advancing toward a preliminary feasibility study.
• Lockheed Martin Corporation: The defense giant rebooted its Pacific mining plans in 2025, reclaiming its seabed licenses after the bankruptcy of its former subsidiary's parent company.
• Global Sea Mineral Resources (GSR, DEME): A Belgian leader developing proprietary subsea collector technology, GSR focuses on sustainable nodule exploration in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone.
• Keppel Corporation Limited: Operating through Ocean Mineral Singapore, Keppel holds exploration rights for polymetallic nodules and focuses on environmental impact studies.
• Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd. (SMD): A specialist equipment manufacturer, SMD provides remote-controlled subsea vehicles designed specifically for seafloor mineral extraction.
• Odyssey Marine Exploration , Inc.: This ocean explorer manages a portfolio of seafloor projects, including phosphate for fertilizers and nodules for battery metals, as a technical and operational partner.
• Royal IHC: This maritime technology provider offers integrated subsea mining systems, including specialized vertical transport and crawler-based collectors.
• Kongsberg Gruppen : Kongsberg provides essential high-tech underwater systems, including acoustic sensors and robotic technology, to support deep-sea exploration and operations.
• China Minmetals Corporation: A major state-owned player, it holds multiple ISA exploration contracts for polymetallic nodules and sulfides in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
• Japan Oil, Gas and Metals (JOGMEC): JOGMEC leads Japan's national deep-sea exploration, recently partnering with the U.S. in 2025 to develop rare earth recovery from the Pacific seabed.
• Neptune Minerals Inc.: Historically focused on seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) deposits, its operational activity has remained minimal in recent industry updates.
• Deep Reach Technology, Inc.: An engineering firm specializing in the technical design of deep-ocean recovery systems and vertical transport for mineral slurry. 

Recent Developments in the Deep-Sea Mining Industry:

• In December 2025, Japan plans to launch a world-first deep-sea rare earth mining test in January. The test focuses on a deep-sea mining system and lifting rare-earth mud. (Source: https://www.bairdmaritime.com)
  
• In April 2025, Trump signed a controversial order to boost the deep-sea mining industry. The mining focuses on the extraction of potato-sized polymetallic nodules and supports industries like aerospace, technology, defense, & energy. (Source: https://www.aljazeera.com)

Segments Covered in the Report

By Resource Type

• Polymetallic Nodules (Manganese, Nickel, Cobalt, Copper)
• Cobalt-Rich Ferromanganese Crusts
• Polymetallic Sulfides (Gold, Silver, Copper, Zinc)
• Rare Earth Elements (REEs)

By Mining Technique

• Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs)
• Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs)
• Seabed Dredging & Excavation
• Riser Systems & Lifting Equipment
• Drilling & Cutting Systems
  

By Application

• Battery Metals for EVs
• Renewable Energy Storage
• Electronics & Semiconductors
• Aerospace & Defense Materials
• Industrial Metallurgy
  

By End-Use Industry

• Automotive & Electric Mobility
• Energy & Power (Renewables, Storage)
• Electronics & IT
• Aerospace & Defense
• Industrial Manufacturing
  

By Region

• North America 
  • U.S. 
  • Canada 
  • Mexico 
  • Rest of North America 
• South America
  • Brazil 
  • Argentina 
  • Rest of South America 
• Europe
  • Western Europe  
    • Germany 
    • Italy 
    • France 
    • Netherlands 
    • Spain 
    • Portugal 
    • Belgium 
    • Ireland 
    • UK 
    • Iceland 
    • Switzerland 
    • Poland 
    • Rest of Western Europe 
  • Eastern Europe  
    • Austria 
    • Russia & Belarus 
    • Türkiye 
    • Albania 
    • Rest of Eastern Europe 
• Asia Pacific
  • China 
  • Taiwan 
  • India 
  • Japan 
  • Australia and New Zealand,  
  • ASEAN Countries (Singapore, Malaysia) 
  • South Korea 
  • Rest of APAC 
• MEA
  • GCC Countries 
    • Saudi Arabia 
    • United Arab Emirates (UAE) 
    • Qatar 
    • Kuwait 
    • Oman 
    • Bahrain 
  • South Africa 
  • Egypt 
  • Rest of MEA

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