China's Kaituo 2 Deep-Sea Vehicle Sets Record with 13,460-Foot Dive, Extracts 441 Pounds of Minerals

China has made a major advance in the global deep-sea mineral race with its new mining vehicle, Kaituo 2.

Featuring a robust tank-like design, Kaituo 2 has successfully completed sea trials, reaching unprecedented depths and collecting valuable minerals.

Impressive Record and Mineral Collection Developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), Kaituo 2 is designed to explore the ocean floor. Under the leadership of project head Yang Jianmin, the vehicle set a new national depth record in the western Pacific Ocean, diving to an astonishing 13,460.6 feet (4,102.8 meters). During its dives, Kaituo 2 collected over 441 pounds (200 kilograms) of minerals, including copper, cobalt, nickel, and manganese.

Technical Capabilities and Challenges The Kaituo 2's design allows it to navigate rugged underwater terrains autonomously. Measuring 19.7 feet (6 meters) in length, 9.8 feet (3 meters) in width, and 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) in height, and weighing approximately 14 tons, the vehicle features four tracks and a front-mounted drill. It operates independently on the ocean floor, adapting its tracks to varying seabed conditions without human intervention.

Yang Jianmin highlighted the vehicle's ability to overcome significant technical challenges in deep-sea mining, such as navigating complex seabed terrain, efficiently extracting diverse minerals, and managing heavy equipment in rough sea conditions.

Design and Operational Features Kaituo 2 incorporates a sophisticated collection system and ore storage, connected to the surface by an umbilical cable. Its autonomous operation enables it to efficiently mine and collect resources while navigating steep underwater mountains and challenging terrains.

Global Context and Environmental Concerns As interest in deep-sea minerals grows, countries like Japan, Belgium, Canada, and Norway are also exploring and testing deep-sea mining technologies. However, the potential environmental impacts of deep-sea mining have sparked significant debate. Greenpeace recently reported on the risks, highlighting concerns about chemical pollution and debris that could disrupt marine ecosystems.