Undertaking Deep-Sea Mining: A Quest for the Right Answers

Abstract

Abstract Humankind is at a crossroads of sorts with respect to the abundantly available deep-sea mineral resources that can serve as a potential alternative to the requirement of certain materials critical for industrial as well as domestic consumption. While on one hand, these minerals are essential to transition to green energy alternatives, on the other hand, there remains the question of the likely environmental, social, and cultural implications. This commentary poses questions that need to be answered in order to see whether deep-sea mining is a feasible option.