In this episode, I talk with Scott Vincent, an investor and advocate for deep-sea mining who founded the Critical Ocean Minerals Resource Center to challenge what he sees as misinformation about seabed mineral extraction. Scott brings his deep expertise from the investment world to discuss the economic, environmental, and social trade-offs associated with deep-sea mining. Scott emphasizes the importance of acknowledging trade-offs in deep-sea mining, arguing that it can be a cleaner alternative to terrestrial mining. The conversation also touches on investment perspectives, regulatory challenges, and the need for a balanced dialogue in the ongoing debate about deep sea mining.
If you have feedback or recommendations, please reach out to me by email: eric.young@sintef.no
Timestamps
00:00 Intro and Housekeeping
03:19 Introducing Scott Vincent
04:24 Scott’s Path to Deep Sea Mining
07:25 Why Nodules Seemed Like a Win-Win
09:32 About the Critical Ocean Minerals Resource Center (COMRC)
12:01 The Impact of Misinformation and the Moratorium
14:22 What the Executive Order Really Does
16:06 Trade-Offs: How Should We Think About Them?
24:38 Unknowns, Externalities, and Jevons Paradox
34:47 Processing, Solid Waste, and Tailings Dams
39:37 Land Use and Indirect Impacts of Mining
44:34 The Investor's Perspective on DSM
48:57 Modeling and Processing as Key Variables
55:17 Comparing DSM to Junior Mining Investment
58:37 WWF Critique and Misinformation Claims
1:09:12 The Role of NGOs: Help or Hindrance?
1:10:37 Technology Choices and NGO Influence
1:14:32 Polarization and Paths to Dialogue
1:17:59 US regulatory approach
1:23:30 Final Thoughts and Where to Learn More
Theme music: Tamarack by Jesse Matas
Links and References
Where to Find Scott
Twitter: @COMRC_org
Critical Ocean Minerals Resource Center (COMRC): www.COMRC.org
LCAs and comparative studies
Life Cycle Assessment of NORI-D Polymetallic Nodule Project and Comparison to Key Land-based Routes for Producing Nickel, Cobalt and Copper: https://metals.co/bmi-lca-report/
Where should metals for the green transition come from? https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355944407_LCA-White-Paper_Where-Should-Metals-for-the-Green-Transition-Come-From_FINAL_low-res2
Paulikas, D. (2022). Deep-sea nodules versus land ores: A comparative systems analysis of mining and processing wastes for battery-metal supply chains. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2154-2177. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13225
Alvarenga (2022) Prospective life cycle assessment of metal commodities obtained from deep-sea polymetallic nodules: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652621040543
Comparing environmental impacts of deep-seabed and land-based mining: A defensible framework https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gcb.17334
Metal mining on land versus the ocean in the context of the current Biodiversity Crisis https://www.nature.com/articles/s44183-025-00110-z
COMRC Reports:
All reports: https://comrc.org/research/
"The Deadly Moratorium": https://comrc.org/a-deadly-moratorium/
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Investigations:
Original investigative report from BuzzFeed: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/tomwarren/wwf-world-wide-fund-nature-parks-torture-death and Buzz Feed’s dedicated page https://www.buzzfeed.com/uk/tag/world-wildlife-fund
WWF-commissioned Independent Panel Review: Independent Review: https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/embedding-human-rights-in-conservation
Related news coverage: Professor John Knox Testifies before Members of U.S. House Natural Resources Committee on Human Rights and International Conservation: https://law.wfu.edu/2021/10/john-knox-house-natural-resources-committee-testimony/
If you have feedback or recommendations, please reach out to me by email: eric.young@sintef.no
Share this post