Blue Nodules is a research and innovation project which developed a deep sea mining system for the harvesting of polymetallic nodules from the sea floor with minimum environmental impact

The project has ended in July 2020


More Blue Nodules results are to be found here.

Concept of Blue Nodules

Concept of Blue Nodules

Conceptual picture of Blue Nodules project

Key figures

Blue Nodules is a research and innovation project which developed a deep sea mining system for the harvesting of polymetallic nodules from the sea floor with minimum environmental impact.

Horizon 2020: The European Union framework programme for research and innovation.

The work has been carried out by 14 leading industry and research partners from 9 countries in Europe.

Read more...


Partner locations

Partner locations

Partners about

Paul Vercruijsse Paul Vercruijsse Dredging International
Making offshore mining possible, profitable and sustainable is a joint ambition of DI and her sister companies within the DEME Group. The DEME Group substantiates this ambition by investing in people and assets to develop both exploration and.. Read more
Kurt AaslyKurt AaslyNTNU
“Blue Nodules is an exciting project that has the potential to bring society closer to utilize the vast deep marine mineral resources. NTNU is an active part of Blue Nodules because this project is in line with NTNU´s strategic research areas and is complementary to NTNU´s research within the field.” 
“Deep sea mining of rare earth minerals is still an emerging industry and both technologically and environmentally challenging. Blue Nodules provides the opportunity to advance our knowledge.. Read more..
Kris Van NijenKris Van NijenGSR
“Decreasing the world’s dependence on fossil fuel, increases our dependence on minerals. GSR, in collaboration with all stakeholders, is looking for ways how  seabed minerals can contribute to the sustainable development of our world. Read more..
Michel AndréMichel AndréUPC
Ocean noise has always existed, both in natural and biological forms. Without any doubt, due to its recent and uncontrolled character, the massive introduction of artificial sound .. Read more..
‘The search for rare earth elements, whilst taking into account the environment, bring together the need continue to grow technology and the method to do this in a responsible way..Read more.. 
Henko de StigterHenko de StigterNIOZ
"The mining of deep-sea mineral deposits will have an unprecedented impact on an environment that has until now remained almost untouched by mankind. How deep-sea ecosystems will be affected on the short and on the long term..." Read more..
Peter NealePeter NealeContitech
“Seabed mining represents a considerable technical challenge but also a high potential for future business growth. ContiTech Oil & Gas wishes to be at the forefront of this move into this nascent industry and believe that our extensive experience and expertise in the offshore oil & gas, marine and dredging industries .. Read more..
Laurens de JongeLaurens de JongeRoyal IHC - IHC Mining
“Seventy percent of the earth’s surface is covered by sea and oceans, yet we seem to know less about our ocean space than outer space... Read More

Project interactions

The Blue Nodules project has interacted with other initiatives, current and past research projects. These are EC funded initiatives, like FP7 MIDAS (The MIDAS project addresses fundamental environmental issues relating to the exploitation of deep-sea mineral and energy resources) and ERA-MIN (Era-Min – Network on the Industrial Handling of Raw Materials for European Industries ERA-MIN is an ERA-NET program).

Read more...