This Week in Startups

Steve Jurvetson and The Metals Company on Ocean mining, EV market growth, and AI's tech impact | E1959

May 31, 2024
Steve Jurvetson, founder of Future Ventures, and Gerard Barron, CEO of The Metals Company, dive into the future of electric vehicles and sustainable ocean mining. They explore the promising potential of polymetallic nodules for battery materials, emphasizing robotic solutions for eco-friendly extraction. The conversation touches on geopolitical challenges in deep-sea mining and the crucial balance of innovation and environmental responsibility. Together, they outline how these advancements can reshape the EV market while prioritizing sustainability.
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INSIGHT

EV Market Growth and Challenges

  • The growth of electric vehicles (EVs) is increasing demand for battery metals.
  • This demand stresses the global mineral market and raises geopolitical tensions.
INSIGHT

The Metals Company's Mission

  • Polymetallic nodules, found on the ocean floor, are a rich source of battery metals.
  • The Metals Company aims to collect these nodules sustainably, addressing environmental concerns.
ANECDOTE

Discovery of Polymetallic Nodules

  • Polymetallic nodules were discovered in the 1870s by the British during an oceanographic expedition.
  • The Clarion-Clipperton Zone, located in the Pacific Ocean, holds vast reserves of these nodules.
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