As a pioneering field in marine resource development, deep-sea mining is progressively advancing from theoretical investigation into a stage of commercial exploitation. This study focuses on the economic analysis of commercial mining of deep-sea polymetallic nodules, and summarizes key components and methodologies for economic evaluations. A comprehensive and practical economic analysis framework has been established. Two representative international deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining projects have been selected for economic assessment and comparative analysis using the aforementioned framework. Through sensitivity analysis, the potential impacts of uncertainty factors on project economic benefits are evaluated, providing decision-makers with scientifically grounded support for investment decisions.

With the increasing depletion of global land resources, deep-sea polymetallic nodules, as a potential and abundant mineral resource, have attracted widespread international attention. This paper systematically elaborates on the operational process and equipment composition of deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining, reviews the progress of domestic and foreign experimental activities in the field of deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining, and focuses on sorting out the key equipment and technologies applied or developed globally in aspects such as deep-sea mining platforms, underwater collection systems, mineral lifting systems, and environmental monitoring systems. After analyzing the gap in the development of domestic equipment technology, this paper puts forward targeted suggestions, aiming to promote the development of China’s deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining equipment technology, in order to realize the development and utilization of deep-sea mineral resources.