Deep-Sea Mining Robot AbyssMiner Completes Mariana Trough Manganese Nodule Collection Trial
INPEX and JAMSTEC's deep-sea mining robot AbyssMiner has successfully collected approximately 50 tons of manganese nodules in a 48-hour trial at 6,000 meters depth in the Mariana Trough.
Deep-Sea Mining Robot AbyssMiner Completes Mariana Trough Trial
On February 15, 2028, Japan's INPEX and JAMSTEC jointly announced that their deep-sea mining robot AbyssMiner successfully completed a manganese nodule collection trial at 6,000 meters depth in the Mariana Trough, collecting approximately 50 tons in 48 hours.
AbyssMiner is a 15-ton tracked seabed robot with a titanium alloy pressure hull capable of operating at 11,000 meters depth. Its rotating collector head gathers manganese nodules from the ocean floor and conveys them to surface support vessels via pipeline.
Manganese nodules are rich in manganese, nickel, cobalt, and copper — critical materials for EV batteries and electronics. Global seabed manganese nodule reserves are estimated at 30 billion tons, far exceeding known land deposits.
However, deep-sea mining environmental controversy continues. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is developing regulatory frameworks, with environmental groups concerned about irreversible damage to deep-sea ecosystems. ISA Secretary-General Michael Lodge stated: "We will not permit commercial extraction without thorough environmental assessment."
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