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: [email protected]

Timestamps

00:00 Intro and Housekeeping03:19 Introducing Scott Vincent04:24 Scott’s Path to Deep Sea Mining07:25 Why Nodules Seemed Like a Win-Win09:32 About the Critical Ocean Minerals Resource Center (COMRC)12:01 The Impact of Misinformation and the Moratorium14:22 What the Executive Order Really Does16:06 Trade-Offs: How Should We Think About Them?24:38 Unknowns, Externalities, and Jevons Paradox34:47 Processing, Solid Waste, and Tailings Dams39:37 Land Use and Indirect Impacts of Mining44:34 The Investor's Perspective on DSM48:57 Modeling and Processing as Key Variables55:17 Comparing DSM to Junior Mining Investment58:37 WWF Critique and Misinformation Claims1:09:12 The Role of NGOs: Help or Hindrance?1:10:37 Technology Choices and NGO Influence1:14:32 Polarization and Paths to Dialogue1:17:59 US regulatory approach1:23:30 Final Thoughts and Where to Learn More

Theme music: Tamarack by Jesse Matas

Links and References

Where to Find Scott

* Twitter: @COMRC_org

* LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/scott-vincent-241b1426/

* 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: [email protected]

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