Chinese deep-sea mining vehicle successfully reaches 4,100 meters depth as Beijing seeks to secure natural resources

SHENYANG, China — A deep-sea mining vehicle has succeeded in collecting minerals about 4,100 meters below sea level, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported Tuesday. The vehicle, named Pioneer II, was independently developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

The government of President Xi Jinping, which continues its expansion at sea, including around Japan’s Nansei archipelago, in its bid to become a major maritime power, is tightening measures to secure natural resources.

The Pioneer II, which is six meters long and weighs 14 tons, is designed to dive to a depth of 6,000 meters. It can dig up minerals with a drill at the end of its arm. It is also equipped with tracks to drive on the seabed and can drive on a slope of more than 30 degrees.

The vehicle completed a test drive in the western Pacific Ocean in June, collecting more than 200 kilograms of ore containing titanium and nickel.