Deep-sea mining for critical metals and precious minerals has been a contentious topic, but with demand for deep-sea cobalt, copper, and nickel going through the roof and land-based deposits growing scarcer and scarcer, big mining companies are once again licking their chops and fixing their sights out to sea. And so as the conversation of deep-sea mining continues to pick up at the suggestion of widespread deregulation per an April 2025 Executive Order from the U.S.’ Oval Office. The order directs agencies (i.e., NOAA, which issues these exploration licenses) to expedite the process in order to advance the U.S.’ position within the industry. Fair enough. Everything from smartphones and laptops to car batteries and solar panels depends upon mining for metals and minerals. Together with lithium they make for a list of the most critical minerals of modernity. But the list goes on. And it’s a big, big ocean out there full of the gods only know how much good stuff.…