China's deep sea mining rover reaches 6,000 feet below to dig cobalt

China has successfully field-tested an intelligent robotic mining vehicle capable of operating at depths of 2,000 meters (6,561 feet) in the western Pacific Ocean, specifically beyond the US-established “second island chain” near Guam. Developed by teams from the National Engineering Research Centre for Metal Mining, Central South University, and Tianjin University, the vehicle demonstrated autonomous navigation and maneuverability across cobalt-rich ocean floor terrain. This marks a significant advancement from previous Chinese efforts, which were largely theoretical or lab-scale, and highlights China’s growing capabilities in deep-sea mining technology. The ocean floor is believed to hold vast cobalt resources—estimated at over 7.3 billion tonnes—far exceeding known terrestrial reserves. Cobalt is critical for rechargeable batteries and aerospace applications, making these seabed deposits strategically important. China currently dominates global cobalt refining capacity (about 73%) and is projected to supply nearly half of the world’s mined cobalt by 2030. The successful test of this mining rover is expected to