DeepGreen Metals, Inc. recently commissioned a yearlong that examines how we can source the vast mineral resources required to transition our energy, transportation and industrial infrastructure away from fossil fuels with the least planetary impact.
This green transition will require a massive injection of new metal and the World Bank has projected that demand for minerals for low-carbon technologies is to rise 500% by 2050.
But where will this metal come from and at what cost?
The first-of-its-kind study uses a lifecycle sustainability analysis (LCSA) framework and standard lifecycle analysis (LCA) methodology to compare the environmental, social and economic impacts of two potential sources of minerals needed to manufacture EV batteries: land-based ores and deep-ocean polymetallic nodules.
All metal production is impactful, but polymetallic nodules offer material advantages over land-based ores. When comparing mining battery metals on land versus the ocean, nodules can deliver:
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 70% less CO2e direct emissions
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 94% less stored carbon at risk
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 90% reduction in SOx and NOx emissions
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 100% less solid waste
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 94% less land use
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 93% less wildlife at risk
We look forward to sharing the key findings of our study with you and to taking your questions.