deep-sea minning
Avarua, COOK ISLANDS — Mining deep areas of the ocean to gather rare metals for electric car batteries and other green technologies is attracting cash-strapped Pacific island governments.
Exploration is now under way in the waters around the Cook Islands - or 'Avaiki Nui, as the islands are known...

![Polymetallic nodules in the western Atlantic Ocean. This image was captured on a deep-sea research mission in 2019. [photo: NOAA Ocean Exploration] Polymetallic nodules](https://www.samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/sea_nodules_web.jpg?itok=3lES5yU0)