Amsterdam, Netherlands – The economic potential of seabed polymetallic nodules in the South Pacific’s Cook Islands has been overstated, according to a new independent study commissioned by Greenpeace International.[1] Once costs, market factors, and technological challenges are accounted for, deep sea mining for Cook Islands nodules is more likely to incur an economic loss, the analysis indicates.
Juressa Lee, Campaigner, Greenpeace Aotearoa, said: “Deep sea mining companies that have made bold claims to try and win social licence in places like the Cook Islands are now being exposed — their sales pitch simply doesn’t add up. Scientific warnings are crystal clear: deep sea mining will damage the oceans and harm biodiversity. Millions of people across the world, including people in the Cook Islands, are concerned about the threats posed by this industry. When you add the major financial risks, it’s hard to understand why anyone is still pushing this industry at all.”
Polymetallic nodules are metal-rich rocks that sit on the deep seafloor, increasingly targeted by mining companies despite scientists’ warnings of severe ecological damage. [2]
The new report highlights several reasons why the promise of these “golden apples” — as Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown described the nodules — does not hold up. The author finds that the technologies required to extract the nodules have not been commercially demonstrated, noting that operating “at depths three times greater than the Deepwater Horizon and >15 times deeper than North Sea oil, pose significant challenges to reliable operation”. According to the author, the estimated operating costs at such depths are on a par with, or higher than, their expected market value, making commercial operations unviable.
According to this expert’s assessment, there are no single processing facilities worldwide capable of converting raw nodules into saleable metals, and building new plants and supply chains would involve major technical and financial risks. Market outlook is weakest for cobalt and manganese, the primary components of value in Cook Islands nodules. The expert finds Cook Islands nodules’ estimated market value is only US$100–140 per dry tonne, far below the level needed to support a profitable industry.
‘The release of the study comes as the deep sea mining frontrunner, Belgium’s Global Sea Mineral Resources (GSR)announces its plan to divest its interests in the Cook Islands and refocus on activities in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ). GSR intends to sell its share of the joint venture company Cobalt Seabed Resources (CSR), which was established to pursue mining in the Cook Islands. Although no buyer has been officially named, local reporting has pointed to speculation about a possible sale to American company Wetstone, a newly formed company with little public track record and who seems close to former International Seabed Authority Secretary General, Michael Lodge.[3][4][5]
Juressa Lee, Campaigner, Greenpeace Aotearoa said: “Resistance to seabed mining in the Cook Islands and across the Pacific is strong and persistent. Pacific Peoples will not be sidelined by corporations and powerful countries trying to impose this new form of extractive colonialism on the region. Alongside our allies, who want to protect the ocean for future generations, we will continue to resist wannabe miners who want to strip the seafloor, causing irreversible harm for profits that are clearly far from guaranteed.”
The future of Pacific Island nations is inextricably linked to healthy oceans — yet this future is now at risk from proposals to open the deep sea to mining, whether within national waters or in international waters. The Pacific Ocean, and the livelihoods it sustains, must be protected. Greenpeace urges coordinated action from Pacific Island governments to safeguard their own waters by putting a ban on deep sea mining, while a global moratorium at the International Seabed Authority is needed to defend the world’s largest ocean commons.
The Author: Lyle Trytten is a chemical engineer and metallurgical consultant with over three decades of global experience in sustainable battery metals, spanning R&D, project development, operations, and lifecycle and techno-economic assessments across nickel, cobalt, copper, lithium, and graphite. His expertise has been featured in The Elements of Deep Sea Mining, the Redefining Energy – Tech podcast series, and major media outlets including Bloomberg, Time, The Economist, and The Wall Street Journal. He has also informed national and international agencies and contributed to the analytical foundation of the recent RAND Corporation report on seabed mining.
Sol Gosetti, Global Media Coordinator, Stop Deep Sea Mining campaign, Greenpeace International: sol.gosetti@greenpeace.org, WhatsApp +44 (0) 7380845754
Netherlands – Greenpeace climbers hang a banner at the entrance of Hoog Catharijne shopping mall, beneath the iconic domed roof at Utrecht Central Station, reading “THIS YEAR, JUST NOTHING” to draw attention to the impact of overconsumption around Black Friday.
Brazil – Organized by the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), a huge march brought together Indigenous people and activists in the streets of Belém, the host city of COP30. Carrying the message “We Are the Answer,” the demonstration marked “Indigenous Peoples’ Day at COP30,” promoting climate debate and the defence of the rights and territories of Indigenous peoples.
Australia – Greenpeace Australia Pacific activists have scaled and blocked the coal ship Yangze 16, bound for the world’s largest coal port, the Port of Newcastle, during the Rising Tide People’s Blockade, deploying a banner with a message to the Australian government: “Phase Out Coal and Gas”.
South Africa – Greenpeace Africa activists sent message to world leaders from Johannesburg’s Constitution Hill: #TaxTheSuperRich for people and planet! Activists are gathered at the ‘We the 99’ People’s Summit ahead of the G20.
Germany – Greenpeace activists protest for a change in the meat industry at the German meat congress in Mainz, away from a climate-damaging and animal-cruel, cheap-meat production.
Brazil – Brazilian artivist Mundano delivered, in partnership with Greenpeace a striking art installation to demand world leaders take bold action for forests at COP30. Mundano wrote the message “COP30: Rise for Forests” with transparent ink, and used ashes taken from forest fires in the Amazon to reveal the text.
Turkey – The budget discussions of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change began on 27 November. Greenpeace Türkey is calling for the budget to include measures ensuring tax and climate justice, drawing attention to the subsidies provided for fossil fuels in front of the Soma Coal Power Plant.
Brazil – Organized by the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), a huge march brought together Indigenous people and activists in the streets of Belém, the host city of COP30. Carrying the message “We Are the Answer,” the demonstration marked “Indigenous Peoples’ Day at COP30,” promoting climate debate and the defence of the rights and territories of Indigenous peoples.
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Oslo, Norway – The newly elected Norwegian government[1] today ruled out deep sea mining licenses in Arctic waters until at least the end of 2029. The agreement to stop all exploration and exploitation of deep sea minerals was confirmed after pressure from the environmental movement and hard negotiations from the green opposition parties in Norway.
Haldis Tjeldflaat Helle, Deep Sea Mining Campaigner, Greenpeace Nordic said: “Deep sea mining in Norway has once again been successfully stopped. We will not let this industry destroy the unique life in the deep sea, not in the Arctic nor anywhere else.”
Norway will also cut all public funding for government-led mineral mapping, marking a major shift in its stance on deep-sea mining. Once one of the mining industry’s strongest proponents, the Norwegian government is now moving to halt both exploration and exploitation in its own waters.
The decision is another blow to a deep sea mining industry whose viability has come under repeated strain before even going into business. In November, Cook Islands authorities announced deep sea mining applications in the Pacific nation’s waters would be subject to five year extensions, delaying mining in the region until at least 2032.
Haldis Tjeldflaat Helle added: “This must be the nail in the coffin for the deep sea mining industry in Norway. Any government that is committed to sustainable ocean management cannot support deep sea mining. Now Norway must step up and become a real ocean leader, join the call for a global moratorium against deep sea mining, and bring forward a proposal of real protection for the Arctic deep sea.”
Louisa Casson, Deep Sea Mining Campaigner, Greenpeace International said: “Millions of people across the world are calling on governments to resist the dire threat of deep sea mining to safeguard oceans worldwide. This is yet another huge step forward to protect the Arctic, and now it is time for Norway to join over 40 countries calling for a moratorium and be a true ocean champion.”
[1] The former government parties agreed to stop the first licensing round for deep sea mining in the Arctic after an international campaign and budget negotiations with Norway’s Socialist Left party in 2024. Since then, Norway has formed a new government, and after hard negotiations from green opposition parties (the Reds, the Socialist Left Party, and the Green Party) it was clear that the pause will continue for at least another four years, a move towards ending the industry in Norway. Contacts:
Sol Gosetti, Global Media Coordinator, Stop Deep Sea Mining campaign, Greenpeace International: sol.gosetti@greenpeace.org, WhatsApp +44 (0) 7380845754
The colours, voices and strength of the people occupied the city of Belém during the two weeks of COP30, in the Brazilian state of Pará. While the climate negotiations ended without presenting a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels and global deforestation, frustrating environmentalists and civil society organizations, the “outside COP” made history.
On the eve of COP30, Greenpeace projected a message to delegates at the UN Climate Summit in Belem.
The occupation of Belém’s streets and waters leaves a legacy for the next conferences: the guarantee of social participation as a determining factor for concrete progress in defending the planet and the climate.
The People’s Summit, held at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), brought together thousands of people and representatives of social movements. Over the course of a week, panels and discussions on the climate crisis were held, highlighting the importance of financial support for projects and communities that keep the forest standing and of tackling inequality as a path to mitigating the consequences of the climate crisis.
At the end of the first week of COP30, Greenpeace joined thousands of people at the Global Climate March in Belém. Greenpeace carried messages such as “Respect the Amazon” and “Make Polluters Pay.” The Global Climate March was organized by civil society organizations and Indigenous Peoples’ groups from several parts of the world.
The Rainbow Warrior III, Greenpeace’s ship, also joined this wave. The boat remained docked very close to the Summit, during the two weeks of COP30.
Greenpeace brought together women who defend the Amazon and the environment in a safe and inspiring space to strengthen connections, share experiences, and set the agenda for women in the fight for the protection of territories, waters, and the forest. A light, powerful, and cultural moment that reinforces the importance of women on the front lines of defending life.
The ship hosted events and exchanges with Indigenous leaders, youth movements, and climate activists as well as opened its doors so the people of Belém could learn more about our activism and about the global campaign “Respect the Amazon”, which has already mobilised more than half a million people around the world.
Almost 4,000 people visited the iconic Greenpeace ship, Rainbow Warrior, on the first weekend of Open Boat activities in Belém, host city of COP30. Docked at the Federal University of Pará, the vessel had public visitations on November 8th and 9th, sharing our commitment to a greener and fairer world for all forms of life.
The Rainbow Warrior also took part in the barqueata organised by the People’s Summit, in which more than 200 boats occupied the Guamá River with the motto “From the Amazon to the world: end inequality and environmental racism. Climate justice now!”
The iconic Greenpeace ship joins over 200 vessels in Belém, in a symbolic act to open the People’s Climate Summit at COP 30. Different social movements joined the action, entitled “From the Amazon to the World: End Inequality and Environmental Racism, Climate Justice Now!”, including indigenous movements representatives. The goal is to pressure world leaders for climate justice for all.
Similarly, the Global Climate March brought more than 40,000 people to the streets of the capital of Pará. Both moments registered the strength of the unity of the peoples and showed how popular mobilization can put pressure on the negotiations.
At the end of the first week of COP30, Greenpeace joined thousands of people at the Global Climate March in Belém. Greenpeace carried messages such as “Respect the Amazon” and “Make Polluters Pay.” The Global Climate March was organized by civil society organizations and Indigenous Peoples’ groups from several parts of the world.
This was also the Climate Conference with the largest Indigenous presence ever recorded. Thousands of Indigenous people and leaders brought to governments, in different spaces and circumstances, the demarcation of territories as the main demand to contain the climate crisis.
At the end of the first week of COP30, Greenpeace joined thousands of people at the Global Climate March in Belém. Greenpeace carried messages such as “Respect the Amazon” and “Make Polluters Pay.” The Global Climate March was organized by civil society organizations and Indigenous Peoples’ groups from several parts of the world.
In the second week of COP30, the Brazilian government announced progress in the process of demarcating 20 Indigenous Lands. Four were ratified, ten declared and six had their boundaries established, representing millions of hectares protected. A victory that reflects years of mobilization by Indigenous peoples and reinforces the demand made during the Indigenous March at the COP: “We Are the Answer – demarcating lands protects forests and confronts the climate crisis”.
At the end of the first week of COP30, Greenpeace joined thousands of people at the Global Climate March in Belém. Greenpeace carried messages such as “Respect the Amazon” and “Make Polluters Pay.” The Global Climate March was organized by civil society organizations and Indigenous Peoples’ groups from several parts of the world.
This was, without any doubt, the People’s COP. And this is essential for any progress in the climate agenda. After all, there is no possible climate debate without including those who truly know how to protect forests and the climate.
The iconic Greenpeace ship joins over 200 vessels in Belém, in a symbolic act to open the People’s Climate Summit at COP 30. Different social movements joined the action, entitled “From the Amazon to the World: End Inequality and Environmental Racism, Climate Justice Now!”, including Indigenous movements representatives. The goal is to pressure world leaders for climate justice for all.
And this is precisely why the mobilisation that made Belém even more colourful during the global negotiations remains firm, nurturing the possibilities created by COP30 so they can sprout, take root and blossom into the changes and actions we need.
Organized by the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (Apib), the march brought together Indigenous people and activists in the streets of Belém, the host city of COP30. Carrying the message “We Are the Answer,” the demonstration marked “Indigenous Peoples’ Day at COP30,” promoting climate debate and the defense of the rights and territories of Indigenous peoples.
Netherlands – Greenpeace climbers hang a banner at the entrance of Hoog Catharijne shopping mall, beneath the iconic domed roof at Utrecht Central Station, reading “THIS YEAR, JUST NOTHING” to draw attention to the impact of overconsumption around Black Friday.
Brazil – Organized by the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), a huge march brought together Indigenous people and activists in the streets of Belém, the host city of COP30. Carrying the message “We Are the Answer,” the demonstration marked “Indigenous Peoples’ Day at COP30,” promoting climate debate and the defence of the rights and territories of Indigenous peoples.
Australia – Greenpeace Australia Pacific activists have scaled and blocked the coal ship Yangze 16, bound for the world’s largest coal port, the Port of Newcastle, during the Rising Tide People’s Blockade, deploying a banner with a message to the Australian government: “Phase Out Coal and Gas”.
South Africa – Greenpeace Africa activists sent message to world leaders from Johannesburg’s Constitution Hill: #TaxTheSuperRich for people and planet! Activists are gathered at the ‘We the 99’ People’s Summit ahead of the G20.
Germany – Greenpeace activists protest for a change in the meat industry at the German meat congress in Mainz, away from a climate-damaging and animal-cruel, cheap-meat production.
Turkey – The budget discussions of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change began on 27 November. Greenpeace Türkey is calling for the budget to include measures ensuring tax and climate justice, drawing attention to the subsidies provided for fossil fuels in front of the Soma Coal Power Plant. 
