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Drone View of ROV during Deep Arctic Expedition
© Christian Åslund / Greenpeace

The Deep-Sea Contradiction

Germany’s millions for mining tech despite ''precautionary pause''

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Since 2022, the German government has officially called for a „precautionary pause“ of deep-sea mining. Behind the scenes, however, German corporations are forging alliances in Saudi Arabia to extract raw materials from the Red Sea—partly fueled by technology developed with millions of euros in taxpayer funds. This two-part Greenpeace investigation exposes the rift between the government's public stance and its fiscal actions. This is Part One, which traces the allocation of public research funding for deep-sea mining since 2015. To explore the corporate maneuvers currently taking place in the Red Sea, continue to Part Two here.

This investigation in short

What's the news?

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Despite the German government's public support of a ''precautionary pause'' of deep-sea mining, millions of euros continue to flow into research projects that are linked to deep-sea mining. Some projects include the development of mining technology.

Why do we care?

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The deep sea is a reservoir of extraordinary biodiversity and plays a vital role in helping regulate our climate. Deep-sea mining is highly controversial because it poses significant and potentially irreversible risks to the marine environment and the habitats of many animal species that have developed over millions of years. 

How did we investigate this?

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Greenpeace Investigativ filed freedom of information requests and searched government funding databases to trace government spending into deep-sea mining related research projects during the last decade.

The future of deep-sea mining remains uncertain. More than 40 countries have called for a moratorium, ban, or precautionary pause on commercial mining in international waters, citing unresolved questions about environmental impacts and a limited scientific understanding of deep-sea ecosystems [1]. Since 2022, Germany is among the countries that publicly support a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining. Calling for further research, the government announced that it would not sponsor any plans of work for commercial mining for the time being [2]. 

During the UN Ocean Conference in Nice in 2025, Environment Minister Carsten Schneider reiterated that too little is known of the deep sea and that the consequences of human intervention remain unpredictable, stressing that few countries are investing as much into deep-sea research as Germany [3]. 

It is true that Germany plays an active role in deep-sea research. Through exploration licences sponsored under the International Seabed Authority (ISA), expeditions and publicly funded research programmes, federal ministries have invested millions of euros into the exploration of the deep sea over the past decade. 

Much of this funding is justified as scientific research rather than preparation for commercial mining. Yet public funding has also supported the development of technologies, patents, infrastructure, datasets, and expertise that may prove valuable to companies seeking to exploit seabed minerals in the future. The relationship between public research objectives and potential commercial applications has received comparatively little public scrutiny.

Using freedom of information requests and government spending records, our investigation traces public spending on Germany's two ISA licence areas and examines publicly funded deep-sea mining-related research projects between 2015 and 2025. It provides an overview of where public money has flowed, which institutions and companies have benefitted, and how these investments fit into Germany's stated position on deep-sea mining. 

Our related investigation „Deep Sea, Deep Ties: Germany's Red Sea Mining Connection“ shows how German companies that have collaborated in publicly funded research projects and received financing for technological development, are now looking to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to commercialise their technology in the Red Sea.

The timing is significant. As delegates prepare for another round of negotiations at the 31st ISA session, where rules, regulations and procedures for commercial deep-sea mining remain under discussion, Germany's own research funding raises questions about how its precautionary position is reflected in practice. 

The BGR – Advancing Deep-Sea Mining Readiness in Germany’s Contract Areas 

Germany is the sponsoring state of two ISA licences – one for the exploration of polymetallic nodules in the Pacific Ocean (since 2006) and one for the exploration of polymetallic sulphides in the Central Indian Ocean (since 2015) [4][5]. For both licences, the contractor in charge of exploration is the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR). The BGR is a scientific and technical authority reporting to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) [6]. 

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According to our calculations, the BGR has to date spent approximately 175 million euros for exploration work in the two license areas [7]. Over the years, the BGR has carried out environmental studies and assessments in both areas, including biological investigations of benthic fauna, the compilation of oceanographic and climatologic data, and geochemical analyses, while also scoping prospective mining areas and conducting metallurgical experiments for the development of processing routes [8][9]. 

While actual steps towards mining, in the form of mining tests, are not mandatory under an ISA exploration license and not all countries proceed in this direction [68], the BGR argues that test mining can be „a prerequisite for improving the level of confidence in such a way that a nodule-mining project becomes attractive for the mining industry,“ and that „[s]uccessful tests will strengthen the confidence of investors in deep-sea mining.“ [9]

Together with private actors, the BGR actively advances mining tests for polymetallic nodules in the Pacific and for polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean. As only minimal interest from the German industry has been noted for polymetallic nodule extraction, the BGR has instead turned to partnerships with international industry to move forward with the testing of a mining system. For its Pacific operations, the BGR is planning a joint test with the US-Canadian start-up Impossible Metals. It was initially planned for the end of 2025, but was postponed to 2027/2028 [14] [15]. 

When asked for comment, the BGR stated that „[t]hese activities involve component testing of a manganese nodule collection system and do not constitute 'test mining' within the meaning of the definition established by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) (ISBA/25/LTC/6/Rev.3, Annex II).“ [28] The ISA uses a narrower regulatory definition of „test mining,“ reserving the term for testing a fully integrated mining system. 

Further, the BGR argues that studying the environmental impacts of manganese nodule collection systems and their components is „consistent with its contractual obligations as a contractor“ and helps address „existing knowledge gaps regarding the potential impacts of deep-sea mining“. According to the BGR, these activities are „not in conflict with the position of the German federal government“ regarding a precautionary pause in deep-sea mining. [28]

While helping to advance the technical and industrial readiness of deep-sea mining, the BGR also seems to be positioning itself for a future commercial market. Documents withheld from our freedom of information request were deemed too commercially sensitive because of their potential future value. They include data on mineral deposits and estimated metal concentrations in Germany’s contract area in the Pacific. In a letter to Greenpeace, the BGR argues that this information is of „considerable economic value“ and could eventually be „sold to an investor to recoup exploration costs“ [16].

In contrast to polymetallic nodules, German industrial interest in mining seafloor massive sulphides in the Indian Ocean is high [17]. Since 2017, the BGR has partnered with the German machinery manufacturing company Bauer Maschinen GmbH to adapt their heavy trench-cutting technology for the deep sea [8]. 

A test of Bauer’s mining technology is planned under a BMWE-funded research project launched in 2025. The Deep Sea Sampling 2 project received 7.5 million euros to develop an integrated understanding of deep-sea massive sulphide deposit exploration and extraction using „minimally invasive“ technologies. Within the project, Bauer’s trench cutter system is adapted for deep-sea use [18] [19]. Initially scheduled for the period 2025-2030, no date has yet been set for the test, as Bauer has not yet completed the development of the mining equipment [7ab].

As the Deep Sea Sampling project illustrates, the 175 million euros allocated to the exploration work in the BGR's licence areas represents only the baseline of Germany's financial involvement connected to deep-sea mining. To fully understand how public money intersects with the deep-sea mining sector, one must look beyond geographic exploration to the broader landscape of federal research funding. The following section traces these specific funding streams, identifying which institutions and private companies have benefitted.

Between Research and Application: The Public Research Pipeline 

Over the past decade, two federal ministries have funneled millions of euros into third-party research projects, technology consortia, and R&D partnerships. Overall, we identified 22 public research projects that are linked to deep-sea mining [20]. Eight of them were funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMFTR) and 13 by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). Another BMWE-funded project is in planning.

As the project overview shows, several projects have been funded since 2022, the year in which Germany began calling for a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining. Despite Germany' s position, public funding for research projects related to deep-sea mining and accompanying technology has not, in fact, ceased and continues beyond 2022. 

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Projects funded by the BMFTR: Private partners and patents

In the case of the BMFTR, we received a list of 94 projects related to deep-sea research funded between 2015 and 2029 via a freedom of information request [21a]. In total, 65,7 million euros were spent on these projects. [21a]

In response to our freedom of information request, the ministry highlighted that „it has never funded marine mining at any point in time“ [21]. The research projects were exclusively dedicated to basic research to improve the understanding of deep-sea habitats on the seabed and of the water column [21]. 

However, we identified four projects which explore the deep-sea habitat but are clearly linked to deep-sea mining. Another two projects cite deep-sea mining as a possible area of use, while the findings of a further project have been used by the BGR to promote the economic potential of deep-sea mineral extraction. Out of the 94 research projects, these seven projects make up 22,7 million euros, which is more than a third  of the budget spent on deep-sea research between 2015 and 2029. In addition to the list of projects provided by the BMFTR, we have identified one more project in the public funding catalogue that is clearly linked to deep-sea mining. While not a project related to deep sea research, it has an unmistakable link to the sector through its association to the lobby organisation DeepSea Mining Alliance. In the following, we will look at the projects in more detail. 

Since 2015, the research projects Mining Impact I, Mining Impact II, and III, together with Nodule Monitoring II, have successively investigated deep-sea ecosystems and the potential impacts of future mining activities. According to the project descriptions, the focus has been strictly on ecological aspects, examining biodiversity and ecosystem variability, ecosystem functioning, as well as the potential ecotoxic effects of mining-related disturbances on marine communities [22] [24]. Under Mining Impact II, this nevertheless also included an attempt to harvest nodules in collaboration with the Belgian deep-sea mining company Global Sea Mineral Resources (DEME-GSR) in order to test disturbances of the seafloor, during which the mining robot prototype became detached and was temporarily lost on the seabed [23] [11]. The programme Mining Impact is now in its third round, which is due to finish in 2028 [24]. Five research institutions from Germany and the BGR are participating [21b].

The other identified research projects with clear relevance for the deep-sea mining industry concern the development of the seabed drill rig „MeBo“ (Meeresboden-Bohrgerät). MeBo is a remotely controlled seabed exploration device that collects samples from the seabed by rotary core drilling [26] [31]. The first MeBo (MeBo70) was developed by MARUM, the Centre for Marine Environmental Sciences at the University of Bremen, from 2004 to 2005, with financial support from the federal government and the state of Bremen. Capable of sampling soft sediments and hard rocks down to a total core length of more than 70 metres, it can be operated at depths of up to 2,000 meters underwater [26]. Fields of application are diverse, ranging from sediment sampling to reconstruct the Earth’s climate, determining chemical and slope stability, to exploring the composition and depth of seafloor massive sulphide deposits [27]. 

While MARUM was the research institution in charge and the beneficiary of the research project [21c], other companies were subcontracted to help with the development, among which Prakla Bohrtechnik GmbH for mechanical engineering [26] [29]. The company was later acquired by Bauer Maschinen GmbH [27] [29]. Bauer also continued to be involved in the further development of the technology.

Between 2011 and 2015, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) funded the development of a second seabed drilling device (MeBo200), capable of drilling up to 200 metres below the seabed — more than twice the reach of the original device [21c] [30]. A further round of public funding between 2016 and 2018 supported upgrades to the first-generation MeBo70 [27] [21c]. In both cases, Bauer Maschinen GmbH contributed to the drilling technology and mechanical engineering components of the technology [26] [27] [29].

Because Bauer participated in the projects as a subcontractor, the precise amount of public funding that ultimately flowed to the company could not be determined. However, as part of the technology related to the MeBo device was jointly patented [32] [33], both MARUM and Bauer retain the rights to use, further develop and commercialise the resulting technology [27].

MARUM has since undertaken countless expeditions with both MeBo70 and MeBo200 for different purposes. According to Dr. Tim Freudenthal, co-head of the marine robotics working group at MARUM, neither MeBo device has been used as yet to explore seafloor massive sulphides. While the technology could theoretically support deep-sea mining activities, MARUM’s primary focus for their underwater technology remains on basic environmental research, including the study of vulnerable ocean floor ecosystems.

Bauer, meanwhile, openly promotes MeBo200 for the exploration of offshore seabed commodities, namely for the extraction of seafloor massive sulphides [12] [13]. 

  • Screenshot einer Broschüre aus Oktober 2020 von Bauer AG, in der Bauer AG das MeBo-System bewirbt
  • Screenshot einer Produktbroschüre von Bauer AG zu "MeBo"
  • Screenshot einer archivierten Version der Bauer AG Webseite
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The project „Internationalisierung und neue Kooperationsprojekte der DeepSea Mining Alliance für den Tiefseebergbau“, financed by the BMFTR under the funding scheme ‘’cluster - network - internationalisation’’, aimed to support the lobby organisation DeepSea Mining Alliance (DSMA) in its international activities [69] [70]. Founded in 2014, the DeepSea Mining Alliance has been lobbying nationally and internationally for industry support and pilot mining [71] [75]. Between 2018 and 2019, the DSMA received approximately 20,000 euros to expand its activities and partnerships with France, Central and Eastern Europe, Norway and other European countries as part of R&D collaborations [70].

Lastly, the Louisville Ridge project is not directly linked to deep-sea mining, but focuses on the exploration and composition of ferromanganese crusts and biological communities [34]. It has nonetheless been used by the BGR to promote the economic potential of seamount summits for ferromanganese crust deposits, with clear references made to mineral processing. As stated in their newsletter, the research project’s findings and expedition deliver the basis to assess the opportunities associated with the exploitation of these deposits [35] [36]. Louisville Ridge has thus been used to contribute to discussions about the commercial potential of deep-sea mineral resources.

Our review of BMFTR-funded deep-sea research projects highlights how difficult it can be to draw a clear line between basic research and research facilitating deep-sea mining. Even when research on benthic ecosystems, seafloor geology, or mineral deposits is conducted for scientific purposes, the resulting knowledge can also contribute to paving the way for the deep-sea mining industry. 

As the BMFTR funding was primarily limited to research institutes, industry involvement was, in most cases, indirect. Most BMFTR-funded projects were also not directly connected to deep-sea mining. Yet, our analysis identified several projects with clear links to the sector, from which companies such as DEME-GSR and Bauer, but also the lobby organisation DSMA, have benefitted. When asked for comment about these specific projects, the BMFTR stressed that its funding activities in this field were limited to „independent basic research in the deep sea“ [25] and the study of „the ecological consequences of potential deep-sea mining.“ The ministry stated again that „at no point“ had it funded marine mining. [25]

As we shall see, the projects funded by the BMWE are more industry-oriented and a far greater number of industry partners are directly involved in them.

The BMWE sponsors deep-sea mining companies

A key priority of BMWE’s maritime research programme is to support pilot projects that bridge the gap to market-ready applications and commercialisation. Initiated in 2018 and running until 2027/28, the programme aims to foster closer links between science and the maritime industry.

To obtain a comprehensive overview of research projects related to deep-sea mining that were funded over the past decade, we systematically searched the public funding catalogue database for all projects funded by the BMWE, managed by the responsible project management agency for the maritime research programme (Projektträger Jülich), and listed under the category „Maritime Technology“ (Meerestechnik) [18].

In total, 13 projects were identified which are either directly linked to deep-sea mining or mention deep-sea mining as a possible use, accounting for approx. 71.6 million euros. Looking behind the funding streams of these projects shows that funds are not equally distributed. Industry actors have been the primary beneficiaries, with 64.8 percent of funding going to private companies.

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The project that has received the largest financial support by the BMWE is MUM2 (26.3 million euros), which is the follow-up project of „Modifiable Underwater Mothership“ (MUM). Running from 2017 to 2020 and involving three companies and several research institutes [18], the MUM project aimed to develop a modular base vehicle for autonomous underwater operations, which can be adapted for different purposes using different payloads [38]. Deep-sea mining was explicitly identified as a key area of application. Instead of having to build completely new devices for specific aspects of the mining process, the project stated that through modular reconfiguration, seismic modules can be deployed to assess the seabed, while other payloads can help with the positioning and extracting of seabed minerals, thus making mining more cost-effective and „sustainable“ [38]. While the device is currently being further updated within MUM2, the focus is now put on the maintenance of offshore structures [38][40].

The project with the second-largest funding is CIAM (Comprehensive Integrated and Fully Autonomous Subsea Monitoring, 11 million euros) [18]. Building on the technology developed within MUM, an integrated inspection tool is being developed for autonomous subsea monitoring [38]. While CIAM is theoretically adaptable to the deep sea, the main area of application mentioned on the project webpage is the monitoring of underwater infrastructures and cable inspection [39].

Several partners from the MUM projects are also involved in the DeepSeaProtection project. Coordinated by the underwater technology developer EvoLogics GmbH, the project objective is to develop technologies for environmental monitoring to accompany deep-sea mining operations. To this end, a multi-sensor monitoring system is being developed, set up and tested, in combination with autonomous underwater vehicles and underwater docking stations. Through expansive environmental monitoring around the mining area, the system is to provide data for optimising the mining process in such a way that it remains „minimally invasive“ [41]. Running well into 2026, the project targets polymetallic nodule extraction [41] and has one of the largest project budgets, at 6.4 million euros [18].  After completion of the project, EvoLogics reportedly plans to bring the technology to market readiness. As a member of the DSMA, EvoLogics intends to draw from its international network,  with deep-sea mining companies TechnipFMC and DEME-GSR having expressed their interest to support the market roll-out in the past [75]. 

The projects that are most clearly linked to deep-sea mining are Deep Sea Sampling and its successor, Deep Sea Sampling 2. Their objective is to develop „minimally invasive“ mining technology for seafloor massive sulphides – the „green copper of the deep sea“, as promoted in the project [55] [46]. According to Dr. Martin Sobczyk, head of the institute of mechanical engineering at TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Deep Sea Sampling aims to demonstrate that mining copper-rich seafloor massive sulphides could help meet the growing copper demand driven by the energy transition, which terrestrial mining alone may not be able to satisfy [53]. 

To this end, the trench cutter system of the company Bauer Maschinen GmbH, consisting of two sets of cutting wheels, shall be electrified for deep-sea use [43] [44]. The final goal is a pilot mining test in the German licence area in the Indian Ocean [55]. A drilling campaign, during which first samples are to be taken in the Indian Ocean with MeBo, has been announced for 2027 [53] [54]. ‘’Pilot mining’’ is due to take place between 2029 and 2032 as part of a possible Deep Sea Sampling 3 project, according to the project brochure [53] [55]. 

Ultimately, the aim is to develop the vertical approach for sampling into a viable deep-sea mining approach [56]. According to the final report of Deep Sea Sampling 1, the vertical mining concept will be market-ready by the end of Deep Sea Sampling 2 [56]. So far, almost 12 million euros have been spent on both projects [18]. Public financing has nearly doubled for Deep Sea Sampling 2, from roughly 4.2 to 7.5 million euros [18]. 

Besides Bauer Maschinen GmbH, the project consortium consists of several universities, including TU Bergakademie Freiberg, as well as the machine manufacturer Motion Makers GmbH (formerly Krebs and Aulich GmbH), which is responsible for drive train development, and the maritime logistics provider Blue Installation Group, which operates vessels [42][45ad–45af]. The BGR, initially only consulted during the first project, joined the second project as a full consortium partner in its role as licence holder. The cooperation with the BGR marked a turning point for the project, as it created the framework to „share the necessary datasets for characterising massive sulphide deposits with interested project partners“ [73]. The final report of the Deep Sea Sampling 1 project states that the further success of Deep Sea Sampling depended on information sharing with the BGR [56] [73].

According to internal documents of the DSMA lobby group, which we could access, the vertical mining concept precedes Deep Sea Sampling. As early as 2016, Bauer Maschinen GmbH worked with different companies on a concept for a vertical mining device through different joint industry projects [47] [48] and on the development of a minimally-invasive mining method to extract seafloor massive sulphides, using a trench cutter and a remotely operating vehicle [49]. From the internal documents we also know that, in 2020, Bauer Maschinen launched a new joint industry project with the Harren Shipping Group, which led to the establishment of SMS Seabed Mineral Services GmbH [50] [51]. In an interview for Logistics Pilot in 2022, Leonhard Weixler, head of the Maritime Technologies department at Bauer Maschinen GmbH, stated, ‘’we’ll leave the mining to others; we’re focusing on the samples’’ [52]. The quote reflects a business model focused on supplying sampling services to mining operators, demonstrating that participation in the deep-sea mining value chain does not necessarily require direct resource extraction.

Deep Sea Sampling and Deep Sea Protection are today featured prominently on the BMWE’s webpage dedicated to the maritime research strategy, as prime examples of the maritime funding programme [10] Other projects funded under the maritime research programme focused on the development of an autonomous and adaptive steering system for seabed nodule mining (MarTERA COMPASS) [57] [58], earth data models to help with seabed mineral resource assessments (MarTERA Gitaro.JIM) [59], a geological multi-parameter model that can be used for seabed and mineral exploration (FWIGREM) [60], an intelligent sensor system for autonomous vehicles which could be used for the detection of polymetallic nodule deposits (Akustisches Auge) [61] [62], marine image informatics for seabed mineral deposit exploration (TIMM-IS2U) [72], wear-resistant sliding components for subsea applications including mineral extraction from the sea (SubSeaSlide) [63] [64] or the development of a multi-sensor platform for the detection of objects in sediments where deep-sea mining was referenced as a possible use case (EXTENSE) [65] [66].

Conclusion

The upcoming negotiations at the International Seabed Authority (ISA) will continue to test how member states intend to balance ecological preservation with economic interests. Germany holds an important position as a sponsoring state; its expertise in deep sea ecology, marine geology and maritime technology means that it is well-positioned to push for strict protection of the deep sea. 

This expertise has not only been gained from its exploratory work in the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean, but also from the publicly funded research projects that have enabled researchers to explore the least-known habitat on earth. Less than 0.001 per cent of the seabed has been visually surveyed to date, and research on the ecosystem, its ecology and functioning remains crucial [74]. Public financing of fundamental research on the deep-sea is key to this. 

Yet while Germany has been a prominent voice advocating for a precautionary pause from 2022 onwards, the industry has continued to benefit from public financing. By funding the development of deep-sea vertical cutters, seafloor drills, and multi-sensor monitoring systems, federal ministries have opened the doors not only to more profound deep-sea research but also to domestic industry actors hoping to apply themselves in the deep-sea mining sector. 

Even if Germany never permits commercial extraction within its own Pacific and Indian Ocean licence areas, German engineering is now well-positioned to support the sector’s global rollout. 

As detailed in our parallel investigation, „Deep Sea, Deep Ties: Germany’s Red Sea Mining Connection,“ the expertise gained through German public research pipelines is already seeking to enter global markets. Private enterprises, such as Bauer Maschinen GmbH, are well-positioned to commercialise deep-sea technologies under the sponsorship of other sovereign nations, such as Saudi Arabia. 

Research & Text: Anna Saito and Wiebke Denkena

Factchecking: Oliver Worm

Visualisations: Pasha Sem

Sources and notes

[1] Deep Sea Conservation Coalition. Momentum for a Moratorium. [accessed 04/06/2026], archived source

[2] BMWE. Press release: Schutz der Meere: Deutschland unterstützt bis auf Weiteres keinen Tiefseebergbau. [published 01/11/2022, accessed 06/07/2026], archived source  

[3] NDR Info. Umweltminister Schneider fordert Pause beim Tiefseebergbau.  [published 09/06/2025, accessed 06/07/2026], archived source  

[4] ISA. Exploration contracts. Minerals: Polymetallic sulphides. [accessed 06/07/2026]

[5] ISA. Exploration contracts. Minerals: Polymetallic nodules. [accessed 06/07/2026]

[6] BGR. Die BGR stellt sich vor. [accessed 13/04/2026], archived source  

[7] The estimated total cost of exploration work across BGR's two licence areas is approximately 175 million euros. This figure combines the estimated expenditures for exploration activities in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

For the Pacific Ocean licence area, reported expenditures amount to approximately 51.1 million euros for the initial exploration period (2006–2021) and 19.4 million euros for the extension period (2021–2026), resulting in total estimated costs of 70.5 million euros for polymetallic nodule exploration [7aa].

For the Indian Ocean licence area, BGR has allocated approximately 104.9 million euros for exploration activities through 2030. This estimate is based on the approved work plans for 2015–2024, with projected expenditures of 39.0 million euros for 2015–2019 and 41,0 million euros for 2019–2024 [8], together with 24.9 million euros budgeted in the programme of activities for 2025–2030 [7ab].

[7aa] ISA. ISA contract for exploration – public information on contracts BGR PMN 2025, [accessed 06/07/2026], archived source

[7ab] BGR. Programme of activities for the next five-years period 2025 - 2030. [document received via freedom of information request]

[8] ISA. ISA Contract for exploration – Public Information Template. Polymetallic sulphides. Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR).  [accessed 06/07/2026], archived source

[9] BGR. Application for Extension of an Approved Plan of Work for Exploration of Polymetallic Nodules in the Area for the German Programme of Activities in the Exploration Area for Polymetallic Nodules. [sent to the ISA on 22/12/2020]

[10] BMWE. Maritime Forschungsstrategie. [accessed 25/05/2026], archived source  

[11] Reuters. Mining robot stranded on Pacific Ocean floor in deep-sea mining trial. [published 28/04/2021, accessed 06/07/2026], archived source  

[12] Bauer Group. Mining Solutions: Methods - Equipment - Services brochure. [published 10/2020, accessed 06/07/2026],archived source

[13] Bauer Maschinen. Maritime Technologien. [site no longer accessible 08/06/2026], archived source [last capture available 05/12/2025]

[14] BGR. Polymetallic nodules exploration in the BGR contract area. [accessed 11/06/2026], archived source

[15] Impossible Metals. Impossible Metals’ Eureka III Test in BGR Contract Area of CCZ. [accessed 11/06/2026], archived source

[16] BGR. Justiziariat. Antwortbescheid an Greenpeace. Ihr Antrag vom 09.05.2025 auf Zugang zu amtlichen Informationen nach dem Informationsfreiheitsgesetz (IFG), dem Umweltinformationsgesetz (UIG). [sent 08/08/2025]

[17] BGR. Die Bedeutung mariner Massivsulfide. Commissioned by the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie, Referat IIIA5. [published 31/08/2009]. 

[18] Bund.  Förderkatalog. Suchergebnisliste. BMWE. PT-J. HB5000 (Meerestechnik). [accessed 30/03/2026]

[19] Global Mining Review. Bauer’s deep-sea technology: Second phase of deep sea sampling research programme has begun. [published 21/10/2025, accessed 06/07/2026], archived source

[20] Projects were categorised as having a link to deep-sea mining when their stated project objective is aimed toward enabling and/or accompanying the process or when they mention deep-sea mining as one of the possible areas of use, including references made to mineral deposit exploration, manganese nodule / seafloor massive sulphide extraction and marine minerals more broadly. 

[21] BMFTR. Antwortbescheid an Greenpeace. Ihr Antrag nach dem Informationsfreiheitsgesetz (IFG) bzw. Umweltinformationsgesetz (UIG), BMFTR-Förderung von Meeresforschungs- und Meeresüberwachungstechnik seit 01.01.2015.  [sent 10/03/2026]

[21a] BMFTR. Anhang 1a. Liste aller Forschungsvorhaben in der Tiefseeforschung seit 01.01.2015.

[21b] BMFTR. Anlage 1b. Geplante Fördermittel MiningImpact3. [sent 10/03/2026]

[21c] BMFTR. Anlage 1c. MeBo-Förderung. [sent 10/03/2026]

[22] JPI Oceans. Ecological Aspects of Deep-Sea Mining. Mining Impact. Environmental impacts and risks of deep-sea mining. [accessed 16/06/2026], archived source

[23] JPI Oceans. Mining Impact 2. https://jpi-oceans.eu/en/miningimpact-2 [accessed 16/06/2026],archived source

[24] JPI Oceans. Mining Impact 3. [accessed 16/06/2026], archived source

[25] Comment of BMFTR from June 29, 2026.

[26] MARUM. Sea-floor drill rig MARUM-MeBo70. [accessed 16/06/2026], archived source

[27] Interview with co-head of the marine robotics working group Tim Freudenthal, MARUM. [11/05/2026]

[28] Comment of BGR from June 29, 2026.

[29] Wefer, G., Freudenthal, T.: MeBo200 – Entwicklung und Bau eines ferngesteuerten Bohrgerätes für Kernbohrungen am Meeresboden bis 200 m Bohrteufe, Schlussbericht. Berichte, MARUM –Zentrum für Marine Umweltwissenschaften, Fachbereich Geowissenschaften, Universität Bremen,No. 308, 9 pages. Bremen, 2016. ISSN 2195-9633. [accessed 06/07/2026], archived source

[30] MARUM. Sea-floor drill rig MARUM-MeBo200. [accessed 16/06/2026], archived source

[31] MARUM. MARUM-MeBo70 drill rig. [accessed 16/06/2026], archived source

[32] MARUM. MARUM-MeBo developments. [accessed 16/06/2026], archived source

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