Trump Signs Executive Order to Accelerate Deep Sea Mining for Critical Minerals

Trump, Critical Minerals

New Policy Aims to Boost U.S. Access to Nickel, Cobalt, and Manganese

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to fast-track seabed exploration and mining for critical minerals. The order challenges the authority of the United Nations' International Seabed Authority (ISA) over international waters.

The directive instructs the Secretary of Commerce to speed up exploration and commercial recovery permits under the Deep Seabed Hard Minerals Resources Act (DSHMR). Currently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued four exploration licenses but no commercial permits.

The executive order also mandates mapping potential mineral reserves along the seabed.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) highlighted areas rich in nickel, cobalt, and manganese in a recent report.

Industry Response and International Tensions Grow

Canada-based The Metals Company confirmed plans to apply for a commercial deep-sea mining license in the Pacific in 2025. However, tensions are rising as China's Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S. move, defending the ISA's jurisdiction.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), signed in 1994, governs deep sea mining regulations. Yet, commercial regulations remain pending, leaving U.S.-issued permits potentially unrecognized by UNCLOS member states.

Environmental concerns persist.

Fauna and Flora, an environmental non-profit, warned that deep-sea mining could release stored marine carbon, offsetting climate gains.

As the demand for battery minerals intensifies, deep-sea mining's legal and environmental battles are expected to escalate.