Mining Meets Machine Learning in UK Seabed Release

SMARTEX releases seabed images via NERC to aid reviews; uptake of Al tools by industry remains uncertain.

20 Feb 2025

The UK has released thousands of high-resolution images of the Pacific seabed, offering regulators, scientists and contractors al shared resource as pressure grows to assess the environmental impact of deep-sea mining.

The images, collected under the SMARTEX research programme and published on 17 February through the Natural Environment Research Council's repository, depict polymetallic nodules, sediment layers and fragile marine life in the Clarion Clipperton Zone. The area, spanning international waters, is at the centre of industry interest in critical minerals.

Officials and researchers have described the release as a step towards greater transparency in a sector facing intense scrutiny. "The value of this release lies in its accessibility and neutrality," said a scientist at the National Oceanography Centre. "It levels the playing field by making the same raw evidence available to all stakeholders."

The dataset was not designed for machine learning, but its size and consistency could allow artificial intelligence to classify images and accelerate reviews. To date, however, there is little evidence that regulators or companies have applied such techniques to deep-sea assessments.

For mining groups, open data could bring both opportunity and challenge. Publicly available imagery may help to streamline approval processes, but it also exposes corporate claims to review by independent experts and environmental groups.

Critics caution that open access alone is not a safeguard against ecological damage, while advocates argue that shared evidence can underpin stronger governance of ocean resources. The SMARTEX release reflects a wider move towards open science in marine research and is expected to play a role in shaping regulatory approaches as interest in seabed minerals intensifies.