2014 3.1 Selectivity Over Scale Rather than removing continuous swaths of seabed material, Mining 2.0 focuses on identifying and collecting individual polymetallic nodules, reducing the amount of sediment and visible life disturbed during collection, and limiting the physical footprint of operations. 3.2 System Integration Collection, transport, monitoring, and environmental considerations are addressed together rather than as separate challenges. Decisions made at the point of collection directly influence operational control and environmental outcomes. 3.3 Environmental Performance By Design The system limits environmental harm through its design, rather than trying to fix problems after the fact. It reduces disturbance by using precise collection methods that avoid unnecessary disruption in the first place. 3.4 Governance Alignment The approach works within regulatory systems that prioritize transparency, accountability, and clear oversight. Together, these principles shift mining away from force-based, high-throughput approaches toward more deliberate, controlled interactions with the deep sea environment. 4. TECHNICAL APPROACH: SELECTIVE POLYMETALLIC NODULE COLLECTION 4.1 Autonomous Hovering Collection Systems Underlying Mining 2.0 is the use of autonomous underwater robots that hover above the seabed rather than rolling directly on it. By maintaining a controlled distance from the seafloor, these systems reduce direct disturbance to the seafloor surface. Hovering allows the autonomous underwater robot to position itself precisely over individual nodules, remain stable under deep-water conditions, and interact with the seabed in a controlled manner. 4.2 AI-Driven Identification and Targeting Artificial intelligence and machine vision systems identify polymetallic nodules and detect visible life on the nodules themselves. Based on this information, the autonomous underwater robot selectively targets individual nodules rather than removing material continuously across an area. Robotic arms pick up nodules individually. The system deliberately leaves nodules untouched, helping preserve seafloor diversity and reduce overall disturbance. 4.3 Elimination of Riser-Pump Systems Conventional deep sea mining concepts rely on riser-pump pipelines to transport collected material to surface vessels. These systems introduce additional disturbance by discharging material into the water column and contributing to plume formation. In Mining 2.0, the same autonomous underwater robot collects nodules from the seafloor. It transports them to the surface vessel, eliminating the need for riser-pump systems and avoiding the construction of permanent vertical transport infrastructure.
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