Impossible Mining

Impossible Mining is a California-based company developing technology for sustainable seabed mining of battery metals. Founded in 2020, the company aims to revolutionize the mining industry by providing an environmentally responsible alternative to traditional mining practices. Impossible Mining's core technology is an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) equipped with robotic arms and machine vision cameras, designed to selectively harvest polymetallic nodules from the ocean floor at depths of up to four miles. The AUV's selective approach allows it to avoid disturbing marine ecosystems by leaving nodules with visible megafauna untouched.

The company's innovative mining method aims to minimize environmental impact by avoiding sediment disturbance, eliminating significant plumes, and preserving seafloor ecosystems. In addition to its robotic collection system, Impossible Mining is developing a bio-extraction technology that uses naturally occurring bacteria to extract metals from rocks without the need for toxic chemicals or freshwater. This process aims to eliminate toxic waste and tailings associated with conventional mining methods. As of June 2022, Impossible Mining had signed over USD 500 million in Letters of Intent with battery manufacturers, indicating strong interest in its sustainable mining approach.