<div id="readability-page-1">Why minerals matter: AI infrastructure and clean energy rely heavily on minerals like cobalt, nickel, and rare earths, most of which are processed by China. Ocean floor potential: American Ocean Minerals plans to mine polymetallic nodules in the Cook Islands, potentially unlocking centuries of mineral supply. Hurdles ahead: Global moratorium calls, biodiversity risks, and lack of commercial deep-sea mining approvals threaten to slow US efforts.</div>

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<p>The US is exploring deep-sea mining to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals essential for AI and clean energy. American Ocean Minerals aims to extract polymetallic nodules in the Cook Islands, which could provide a long-term mineral supply. However, challenges such as global moratoriums, biodiversity concerns, and the absence of mining approvals may hinder progress.</p>

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US eyes deep-sea mining to counter China's mineral dominance