November 2019
Case
HBS Case Collection

DeepGreen and Polymetallic Nodules

Format:Print
| Language:English
| Pages:24

Abstract

The world has begun a “green transition”—a move to reduce carbon emissions. Part of this will entail a growing shift to electric vehicles. Huge amounts of metals—cobalt, nickel, and copper—will be needed to supply electric vehicles. Mining these on land, however, is carbon intensive and immensely destructive of the natural environment. DeepGreen, in conjunction with Nauru, has been developing a mining system for polymetallic nodules that cover the ocean floor in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture zone. This huge mineral resource—approximately 34 billion tons of metallic nodules—is regulated by the International Seabed Authority (of the United Nations). DeepGreen, perhaps the most advanced of several competitors, will eventually need more than $4 billion to develop the commercial mining system and specialized smelting facilities. The question is, can an entrepreneurial firm raise the necessary capital, succeed with the regulation and surmount the technical challenges that nodules impose?