“The emerging deep sea mining industry aims to collect minerals from rocky seabed formations. Aside from gathering minerals, deep sea mining bears little resemblance to terrestrial mining. It demands groundbreaking technologies designed for the crushing pressures of the ocean depths. It requires new regulations to govern extraction in remote waters. And it could bring unprecedented impacts to deepwater ecosystems, many of which haven’t yet been thoroughly researched: abyssal plains, seamounts, hydrothermal vents, and more.

“Covering this nascent industry poses a unique challenge for journalists. While full-scale mining isn’t yet happening, mineral exploration and test mining already occurs in the open ocean, beyond the reach of most human observation. The companies involved are often small and elusive, sometimes operating through subsidiaries in various countries, sometimes maintaining no physical headquarters. Deep sea mining brings together complex topics, from biology to robotics to international ocean law.

“How can journalists cover this industry accurately and thoroughly as it gains momentum? Our speakers will shed light on the murky world of deep sea mining, drawing from their experience in science communication, deep sea ecology, ocean policy, the human-ocean relationship, and more.”