POLYMETALLIC NODULES
Polymetallic nodules are a critical deep-sea resource, rich in the metals needed to support the global transition to clean energy.
MINERAL TYPES
Powering the Clean Energy Transition
As the world pushes toward clean energy, these deep-sea resources offer a promising, responsible path to help meet soaring global demand. Polymetallic nodules—also known as manganese nodules—are small, rock-like formations found scattered across the ocean floor. These nodules are rich in the metals that power our future: cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, and more.
What Are Polymetallic Nodules?
Polymetallic nodules are spherical to potato-shaped concretions that rest unattached on the abyssal plains of the ocean floor, typically at depths of 4,000 to 6,000 meters. Most nodules are less than 10 centimeters in diameter, formed over millions of years by the slow precipitation of metal compounds from seawater and sediment pore fluids.
Why These Resources Matter
The global transition to renewable energy is well underway—but it depends heavily on the availability of certain metals. Electric vehicle batteries, wind turbines, solar power systems, and large-scale energy storage all require mineral-intensive components. Meanwhile, prices for critical minerals are surging, and traditional land-based supply chains face growing geopolitical, environmental, and social constraints.
Current terrestrial deposits are declining in grade and increasing in extraction cost.
New sources are needed to avoid bottlenecks and meet global climate goals.
Recycling alone cannot meet demand—there simply aren't enough metals in circulation.
Polymetallic nodules offer an opportunity to diversify the supply of these essential materials while minimizing land disturbance and carbon intensity.
Ongoing environmental studies suggest that, with proper planning, nodule recovery can be achieved with significantly lower environmental and social impact than many traditional forms of extraction.
Polymetallic nodules can play a pivotal role in providing an additional source of metals that are in high demand to power the future. The table below lists the mineral commodities found in nodules and their primary uses.