Deep-Sea Mining Applications to Start in Summer: Kiplinger Economic Forecasts
However, it is still unclear when deep-sea mining will actually begin.


Mining is the extraction of materials from the earth. While sometimes controversial, it plays a huge part in the economy as it affects the supply of raw materials which power industries.
To help you understand this sector, our highly experienced Kiplinger Letter team will update you on major developments (Subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter or get a free issue). Here is our latest mining forecast…
While international regulators are still putting various rules in place, they will likely start accepting deep-sea mining applications this summer.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The UN-affiliated International Seabed Authority (ISA) won’t finish its mining code by July 9, the deadline that was set after the island nation Nauru triggered a provision in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
To keep the process moving, ISA will instead start hearing bids from companies interested in mining the seabed. Less clear is when mining will actually start, likely not until next year at the earliest, but other obstacles could push the start date back even further.
Cost of deep-sea mining is still high
Raising the necessary capital will also be a challenge for miners who are working out the kinks, such as the Metals Company (TMC). The Canadian firm has estimated that a full-fledged mining operation with a processing facility would cost $10.6 billion to launch, a sum that might be prohibitively expensive.
The seabed contains more valuable minerals than all continents combined, including abundant deposits of copper, nickel, manganese and cobalt.
Clean-energy mining
All have key clean-energy applications, most notably batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). Notably, the U.S. will not have a dog in the fight for deep-sea minerals.
Lockheed Martin (LMT), which long maintained an interest in deep-sea mining via foreign subsidiary UK Seabed Resources, has already exited the business.
American companies cannot directly apply for deep-sea mining permits, since the Senate has not yet ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
This forecast first appeared in the Kiplinger Letter, which has been running since 1925 and is a collection of concise weekly forecasts on business and economic trends, as well as what to expect from Washington, to help you understand what’s coming up to make the most of your investments and your money. Subscribe to the Kiplinger Letter here.
Related content
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

-
How to Navigate Your Medicare Advantage Plan in a Disaster
If you're a Medicare Advantage member in an area that has been impacted by a disaster, you might be worried about access to care and medicine. Here's what you need to know.
-
Older Investors: Boost Your Savings and Retire Earlier
This one measure can help older investors retire up to two years earlier and potentially double their retirement savings.
-
Breaking China's Stranglehold on Rare Earth Elements
The Letter China is using its near-monopoly on critical minerals to win trade concessions. Can the U.S. find alternate supplies?
-
America's Surprising Strengths in Manufacturing and Exports
The Kiplinger Letter Despite common perceptions that the U.S. doesn't build things anymore, American factories are still hard at work. A special report from The Kiplinger Letter.
-
The Economic Impact of the US-China Trade War
The Letter The US-China trade war will impact US consumers and business. The decoupling process could be messy.
-
What DOGE is Doing Now
The Kiplinger Letter As Musk's DOGE pursues its ambitious agenda, uncertainty and legal challenges are mounting — causing frustration for Trump.
-
A Move Away From Free Trade
The Letter President Trump says long-term gain will be worth short-term pain, but the pain could be significant this year.
-
Trump’s Whirlwind Month of Crypto Moves
The Kiplinger Letter The Trump administration wants to strengthen U.S. leadership in the cryptocurrency industry by providing regulatory clarity.
-
What Could Derail the Economy This Year?
The Letter While the outlook for the U.S. economy is mostly favorable, there are plenty of risks that bear watching.
-
Three Ways President Trump Could Impact the Economy
The Letter Some of Trump's top priorities could boost economic growth, but others risk fueling inflation.