Our CEO and Co-Founder Oliver Gunasekara was recently welcomed on the Hardware to Save a Planet podcast, which explores technical innovations aiding the fight against climate change. We would like to thank the Hardware to Save a Planet podcast, Synapse, and Dylan Garrett for allowing us the opportunity to raise awareness of our responsible deep sea mining technology and for writing the following blog.
Read more about the conversation and find links to the podcast below.
Deep-sea mining has emerged as a promising solution to meet the growing demand for minerals and metals in various industries. With terrestrial resources becoming increasingly scarce, the vast reserves of minerals and metals lying beneath the ocean floor offer a potential solution to sustain our technological advancements.
However, this burgeoning industry raises significant concerns regarding its environmental impact and the need for a delicate balance between resource extraction and preserving the fragile marine ecosystem.
On the latest episode of Hardware to Save a Planet brought to you by Synapse, Dylan spoke with Oliver Gunasekara, Co-Founder and CEO of Impossible Metals Inc., a company focused on responsible seabed mining to drive a transition to circularity in mining.
The Promise of Deep-Sea Mining
Deep-sea mining holds immense potential for meeting the resource demands of the future. The ocean floor is believed to be rich in valuable minerals such as copper, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements, estimates peg the value of these reserves to be around the $100 trillion mark. These metals are crucial for the production of renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, and consumer electronics and are vital components of batteries, magnets, and other essential components of modern technology. As the demand for these technologies continues to rise, deep-sea mining offers an alternative source of these critical minerals that can alleviate the pressure on terrestrial resources.
The Challenges of Legacy Technologies
Despite the potential benefits, antiquated deep-sea mining techniques pose significant environmental risks. The deep-sea ecosystem is a fragile and unique habitat that is home to a diverse range of species, many of which are yet to be discovered and understood. Traditional seabed mining activities can have profound and long-lasting effects on this delicate ecosystem. The extraction process involves the use of large machines and equipment that can disturb the seabed, potentially destroying habitats and disrupting the food chain. Additionally, the release of sediment plumes and the discharge of waste materials can have adverse effects on marine life, including corals, fish, and other organisms.
And this is where Impossible Metals Inc. steps in with its robotic and AI-enabled solution.
Seabed Mining While Protecting the Biodiversity
Oliver explains that they use a fleet of autonomous underwater robots for deep-sea exploration. Each robot is launched from a transport ship, operates untethered, and is equipped with battery power and stereo cameras to survey the seabed. The robots identify and collect nodules while avoiding disturbing sediment or damaging marine life. Once full, they return to the surface using buoyancy engines for recovery and maintenance. This method minimizes environmental impact by selectively harvesting only the nodules that have no marine life attached to them, thereby preserving seabed ecosystems.
“Our goal is to build underwater robotic vehicles to collect battery metals from the ocean floor without harming the environment. These metals, such as copper, manganese, and cobalt, are essential for the energy transition as the demand for electric vehicles and grid-scale batteries increases.”
A Pivot from Polluting Land-Based Mining to Green Seabed Mining
Oliver highlights the vast potential of deep-sea mining and highlights that exploration permits for approximately 40 areas have been granted, allowing for resource assessment and environmental studies. Deep-sea mining is anticipated to provide enough metal to electrify global transportation for the next century. As the industry scales by 2030, it is expected to surpass land-based mining in cost-effectiveness, resource abundance, and reduced environmental impact. This shift could lead to a positive change, alleviating the environmental and social concerns associated with traditional mining practices in regions like Indonesia and Africa.
“Deep-sea mining can be more cost-effective because of higher-grade ores and the utilization of existing shipping and port infrastructure. A ban on deep-sea mining would encourage more mining on land, which has even greater negative impacts. We need innovation to mitigate the negative consequences of mining, not a complete ban.”
The Challenges of Designing Robots for Mining 6,000 Feet Underwater
Oliver discusses the challenges of operating technology in the ocean due to corrosive saltwater and extreme pressure. Specialized materials like titanium and glass are used to withstand pressure at great depths. Communication relies on acoustic modems due to the ineffectiveness of radio waves underwater, resulting in low bandwidth and latency. Robots must function autonomously due to unreliable communication, providing periodic updates on status and position. GPS is ineffective, so alternative methods like acoustic triangulation are used. Despite these obstacles, advancements in sensor technology help ensure accurate navigation and operation of underwater vehicles in hazardous ocean environments.
Conclusion
The future of deep-sea mining holds both promise and challenges. As the demand for critical minerals continues to rise, it is essential to strike a balance between resource extraction and environmental preservation. The establishment of a robust regulatory framework, international collaboration, and technological innovation are key pillars in achieving responsible and sustainable deep-sea mining practices.
By integrating scientific research, environmental impact assessments, and the adoption of advanced technologies, we can ensure that deep-sea mining contributes to our resource needs without compromising the health and integrity of our oceans.
A Few Words About Oliver Gunasekara
Oliver is a business leader with thirty+ years of experience that encompasses three major technology trends: mobile computing, cloud computing, and multimedia technologies. He is a three-time Founder, two-time CEO, Investor, and advisor in DeepTech / ClimateTech and an early employee at ARM.
Oliver is an experienced, driven, and innovative executive in business development, product management, and corporate strategy. He possesses a unique ability to bridge the business, technology, and consumer experience domains. He has a demonstrated track record of working with cross-functional teams to lead and drive new strategic initiatives. He has a history of generating multimillion-dollar revenue growth, enhancing global market share, and developing innovative consumer / mobile technology solutions.
Join us on Hardware to Save a Planet
The Hardware to Save a Planet podcast explores the technical innovations that give us hope in the fight against climate change. Each episode focuses on a specific climate challenge and explores an emerging physical technology solution, with the person bringing it into reality.
Listen to the full podcast with the links below:
