Deep-sea mining firm Glomar Minerals and Australia’s Cobalt Blue Holdings have announced plans to build a mineral processing plant in the United States to refine metals extracted from the ocean floor, marking a major step in securing critical mineral supply chains.
The proposed facility is expected to process minerals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese sourced from polymetallic nodules found in the Pacific Ocean. The companies aim to select a U.S. site by mid-2026 and bring the plant into commercial production within the next few years.
The project, estimated to cost under $500 million, is initially designed to process around 200,000 metric tonnes annually, with scope for expansion. The initiative aligns with growing global efforts to diversify sources of critical minerals and reduce reliance on dominant suppliers.
Cobalt Blue will contribute its proprietary processing technology to separate multiple metals from seabed nodules, while Glomar will focus on exploration and extraction. The partnership is seen as a potential breakthrough in commercializing deep-sea mining, an emerging sector that has yet to establish large-scale processing operations.
However, the development comes amid environmental concerns and ongoing global debates over the impact of seabed mining. Regulatory uncertainties and funding requirements remain key challenges as the companies move forward with feasibility and development plans.