FAQs Archive

Q: D.2 What technical risks does Impossible Metals still have to mitigate?

Our primary technical risks include ensuring the durability and resilience of our robots in harsh underwater conditions, refining our AI algorithms for optimal target identification and resource recovery, and maintaining reliable communication systems between our robots and surface operations. We are actively working on mitigating these risks through rigorous testing, continuous improvement, and strategic partnerships with leading technology providers.

Q: B.17 NGOs cite that many countries and companies have signed up for a moratorium, pause, or ban. What is Impossible Metals' view on this?

A number of countries are listed as having signed up for a moratorium, pause, or ban. Although these countries may have made public statements, the vast majority have not passed legislation. In fact, these countries have signed UNCLOS, which legally commits them to deep sea mining regulated by the ISA. Some of these countries have sponsored exploration applications. If they legally supported a moratorium, pause, or ban, they would be in violation of their legal obligations and could lose their exploration areas. A number of companies are listed as having signed up for a moratorium, pause, or ban. The wording says, “Before any potential deep seabed mining occurs, it needs to be clearly demonstrated that such activities can be managed in a way that ensures the effective protection of the marine environment.” This is the purpose of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) , which must be approved by the regulator before any mining can start. After a regulator approves an exploitation application, the EIA will provide for protecting the marine environment. So, any companies that have signed the moratorium will be free to purchase deep sea minerals. See this blog post for more information.

Q: B.16 What is Impossible Metals’ stance on calls for a deep sea mining moratorium, pause or ban?

We want the environmental bar to be set high and for the industry to innovate to reach it. A ban would stop innovation and remove significant funding for scientific research. It is well established that we will need a lot of critical minerals for the energy transition away from fossil fuels (e.g. IEA , World Bank Group ). Deep sea mining represents an opportunity for environmentally and socially responsible access to these resources. Consumer demand for responsibly sourced materials is rising, so we should define what that looks like and empower the innovators to do their work. We also feel that a holistic approach to critical minerals is required. A deep sea mining moratorium, pause, or ban would only result in more land-based mining impacts and will make it impossible to achieve Net-Zero by 2050.

Q: B.15 What are the environmental & social impacts of land-based mining for cobalt?

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) supplies an overwhelming 68% of the world’s cobalt and has half of global land reserves, so the significant impacts in the DRC are especially notable. Amnesty International reports that cobalt (and copper) mining in the DRC has led to “the forced eviction of entire communities and grievous human rights abuses including sexual assault, arson, and beatings.” Additionally, it is well-documented that DRC mines use child labour. The US Department of Labor states that, “While mining is on the DRC’s list of hazardous activities for which children’s work is forbidden, the majority of cobalt mining in the DRC is done informally, where monitoring and enforcement are poor.” These social issues in the DRC are compounded by environmental hazards, such as deforestation, toxic tailings, and soil erosion/degradation that further threaten human health and wellness. To learn more, check out “ Cobalt Red ”, a book by Siddharth Kara.

Q: B.14 What are the environmental & social impacts of land-based mining for nickel?

Land-based nickel mining has significant environmental impacts, with the severity varying based on the regulatory frameworks in different jurisdictions. Indonesia and the Philippines produced 58.2% of the world’s nickel in 2022, largely from deposits located beneath rainforest ecosystems. In addition to environmental destruction, poor social protections put local communities at risk, including Indigenous communities, which have the right to free, prior, informed consent under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Watch a video about Indonesian nickel mining (BBC News) Watch a video about Philippines nickel mining (FRANCE 24)

D.2 What technical risks does Impossible Metals still have to mitigate?

Christian2025-01-08T17:22:42-08:00July 26th, 2024|

D.1 How is Impossible Metals technology different from others?

Christian2025-07-21T15:16:55-07:00July 26th, 2024|

B.17 NGOs cite that many countries and companies have signed up for a moratorium, pause, or ban. What is Impossible Metals’ view on this?

Christian2025-03-10T12:31:30-07:00July 26th, 2024|

D.2 What technical risks does Impossible Metals still have to mitigate?

D.1 How is Impossible Metals technology different from others?

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