Deep Sea Mining Companies

As of January 2021, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) has issued 30 exploration licences to 21 deep sea mining companies that are all currently focused on mineral exploration. A full list of the entities with deep sea exploration licences can be found here.

Eighteen of these contracts are for exploration for polymetallic nodules in the Clarion Clipperton Zone, the Central Indian Ocean Basin and Western Pacific Ocean. There are seven contracts for exploration for polymetallic sulphides in the South West Indian Ridge, Central Indian Ridge and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and five contracts for exploration for cobalt-rich crusts in the Western Pacific Ocean.

The deep sea mining companies are a combination of privately held and listed enterprises and state-owned entities.