Conflicting Narratives of Deep Sea Mining

As land-based mining industries face increasing complexities, e.g., diminishing return on investments, environmental degradation, and geopolitical tensions, governments are searching for alternatives. Following decades of anticipation, technological innovation, exploration, deep seabed (DSM) in the oceans has, according to industry other proponents, moved closer implementation. The DSM is currently waiting international regulations that will guide future exploitation. This paper aims provide an overview current status structure ongoing key discussions tensions prevalent scientific literature. A narrative review method applied, analysis inductively structures four narratives results section: (1) a green economy blue world, (2) sharing profits, (3) depths unknown, (4) let minerals be. concludes some conflicting, but policy path dominates has preponderance towards Narrative 1—encouraging industrial near based knowledge—and does not reflect wider suggests regulatory process should be opened up more perspectives, such as if morally appropriate (Narrative 4), taken into consideration.