Fiji, Aug. 25 -- Commercial deep-sea mining for critical minerals could begin in the Pacific as early as 2027, despite the absence of an internationally agreed regulatory framework, according to a new Lowy Institute analysis.

The report, Fault lines beneath the Blue Pacific: Deep-sea mining and the future of Pacific unity, by Dr Connor Graham, warns that growing competition between the United States and China for critical minerals is putting Pacific Island countries at risk of exploitation.

The Pacific seafloor contains large quantities of polymetallic nodules containing minerals needed for batteries, weapons systems and clean energy infrastructure.

While some Pacific governments see seabed minerals as a potential source of significant...