Meeting is considered pivotal for the UN body, expected to finalize its decade-long effort to enact regulations by 2025.

The nodules are said to contain 610,000 tonnes of cobalt (75 years of Japan’s consumption) and 740,000 tonnes of nickel (11 years).

Prices of 44% grade manganese ore have almost doubled since the start of the year, beating gains of 15% in copper, 12% in gold and almost 30% in tin.

Researchers at Canada’s McGill University unlocked the potential to produce batteries using more sustainable and less costly materials.

A new IDTechEx report notes that large EV batteries and innovative fast-charging methods are driving the adoption of electric and autonomous mining vehicles.