Deep-Sea Mining Poses Extinction Threat to Vent Mollusks, IUCN Warns

A new update from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) highlights the severe risks of deep-sea mining to unique mollusk species living near hydrothermal vents. Over half of these specialized creatures, which have adapted to extreme seafloor environments, could face extinction if mineral extraction proceeds. This warning underscores the ecological consequences of pursuing new sources for materials, some of which are critical for EV batteries.