Cluster Insight with Green Minerals

– We are dedicated to contributing to the green shift by finding and producing critical minerals and metals needed for the electrification of our energy system in a sustainable way, says Ståle Monstad from Green Minerals.

Cluster Insight is a column where we ask six questions to catch a glimpse into the daily business-lives of the partners and members of GCE Ocean Technology.

This week we have spoken with Ståle Monstad, to learn more about him and his work in Green Minerals: a pioneer in offshore mining and a leader in marine minerals on the Norwegian continental shelf.

1. What is your role in Green Minerals?

I am the Chief Geoscientist & Head of Exploration in Green Minerals and have been working with geology in Oil & Gas Operating companies for 25+ years. Both within Exploration, Research and Management.

All this background is now combined into my current role. The big difference compared to my previous occupation is of course that in Green Minerals we will not be exploring for hydrocarbons, but rather critical minerals for the energy transition.

Coming from the oil and gas industry, this is a very different geological subject. Research and exploration for marine minerals has mainly been done by academia in the past, and my job is to convert this into an exploration strategy that fits the industrial scene. Bottom line, there is a lot to learn and a lot of new ground to cover, but it is really exciting to work with a “new” geological setting in a brand new industry.

2. Your primary focus at work right now is?

Deep sea mining is an industry in the making. Currently the Norwegian authorities are conducting an environmental impact assessment within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) that could lead to a decision to open for mineral exploration.

My primary focus is to ensure that we are ready for that opening decision. With that, comes competence building and extensive collaborations with governmental institutions, academia and industrial partners within a variety of topics, spanning from emerging deep-sea technologies to the biology and ecology of the deep oceans.

3. Biggest challenges and opportunities for Green Minerals in the future?

We in Green Minerals are dedicated to contributing to the green shift by finding and producing critical minerals and metals needed for the electrification of our energy system. We are determined to do this in a sustainable and environmental-friendly way. And we believe the potential for minerals in the Norwegian EEZ in combination with world class deep-sea technology and a very competent legislator offers a unique opportunity for Green Minerals and other deep-sea minerals companies in Norway.

The biggest challenge as we see it, is the lack of an existing industry ecosystem. We need to build and develop mutual beneficiary alliances and partnerships in time for the opening of the Norwegian sector.

4. Best part of being member in a cluster?

To establish deep sea mining as an industry we need to work together towards the same goal. It cannot be done in isolation. The GCE Ocean Technology cluster is a great arena for knowledge sharing and collaboration, to get support and inspiration, and of course to meet potential partners working on similar or related topics to Green Minerals.

5. Your business/life motto

My business motto and life motto are basically the same: “Success without integrity is failure”.

6. Which cluster member should we interview next?

It would be very interesting to read about MinerAll and their ambitions in Norway.

Thank you for the insight Ståle.
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