Blue Minerals Jamaica (BMJ) is focused on deep-seabed mining exploration for polymetallic nodules (mineral concretions on the deep-sea floor), in the Pacific Ocean’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ).
Rich in nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese, the zone is far offshore on the abyssal plains of the Pacific Ocean at a depth of about 5000m and is one of the largest and least understood ecosystems on Earth.
The CCZ is a significant area for deep-sea mining interests, and BMJ’s application to the International Seabed Authority (which regulates exploration and mining in the High Seas), will be a key step in the company’s continued exploration efforts in the area.
In 2025, Ausenco was retained by BMJ to provide planning of environmental baseline and monitoring surveys for the client’s offshore lease area, identify knowledge gaps, and draft the project’s initial Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The next phase of work for the project is to fill knowledge gaps to complete the EIS. This will require offshore campaigns to complete high resolution mapping of seabed habitats and mineral resources within the BMJ license areas, and survey equipment that can withstand the crushing depths of 500 atmospheres of pressure (or 7200 psi) at the project site.
Project solutions and approach
This project will be heavily scrutinised as deep-sea mining remains highly controversial amongst environmental conservation groups. Ausenco helped the client mitigate their financial, reputational, and technical risks by applying high standards of scientific methods and a robust, transparent and repeatable framework for evaluating environmental impacts.
Project outcomes
The planning of the environmental surveys and draft of the EIS were delivered on budget to the client.