ABC News Daily Will Trump kick-start a seabed mining bonanza?
Sep 7, 2025
Mark Willacy, a Four Corners reporter, dives into the burgeoning world of seabed mining, sparked by Donald Trump's push for deep-sea resource extraction. He reveals how polymetallic nodules could play a crucial role in the green energy transition, while also exposing the environmental risks and legal dilemmas involved. Willacy discusses the inspiring story of an individual who transitioned from dairy farming to leading this mining initiative. The geopolitical implications and impacts on Pacific nations add layers of complexity to this underwater gold rush.
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US Push To Open International Waters
- The Trump executive order aims to open US and international waters to deep-sea mining and positions the US as a leader in seabed exploration.
- The order effectively sidesteps existing international treaty processes and accelerates unilateral action.
Barron Presents A Nodule To Trump
- Gerard Barron attended the White House signing and presented Donald Trump with a polished seabed nodule now reportedly on his desk.
- Barron's personal story traces from a Queensland dairy farm to leading a Toronto-listed seabed-mining company.
Polymetallic Nodules As Metal Sources
- Polymetallic nodules carpet abyssal plains four to six kilometres deep and contain nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese.
- Proponents argue these nodules could supply critical metals for the clean-energy transition.