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Cook Islands' valuable metal balls - 18th August 2025

This 1,000 tonne boat is taking an exploratory trip around the Cook Islands, in the South Pacific. It's assessing whether it's workable to extract polymetallic nodules, which were created millennia ago.

Containing cobalt, nickel and manganese, all vital ingredients for batteries in electric cars, mobile phones and so on, these nodules are in demand. Hans Smit, the CEO of Moana Minerals, describes the potential income from mining the strange metal balls.

Hans Smit: "The resource in our field is, is probably in the order of about $4 billion in, in potential value. So that's value, that doesn't mean how much money you're gonna make. Obviously, there's costs and so forth that go against it. But when we look at our economic analysis, the project is profitable."

But while some may view this as a modern-day gold rush, others see it as environmental madness. Currently, 70 percent of the country's GDP comes from the tourism industry. Visitors are tempted by the turquoise seas and rich marine life surrounding the islands. Environmentalists like Alanna Smith feel there's potentially far more to be lost than gained.

Alanna Smith: "We'd really be the guinea pigs of this industry, going first in, blinded, I would say, by not really being made aware of the risks involved. So yeah, it could have long-term implications in terms of our credibility as a tourist destination. It’s, it's a risky, risky move."

Although four areas with polymetallic nodules have been discovered globally, those in the 'Exclusive Economic Zone' around the Cook Islands make this area stand out. The others are positioned in international waters. This area is therefore more immediately accessible, and the resource could undoubtedly benefit the country and its people long-term.

To mine or not to mine is a massive dilemma. The islands are already very aware of the risks to their environment due to climate change. While the nodules' minerals enable green energy production, there could be severe damage caused by mining at a depth of 5000 metres.