US President Donald Trump has signed an Executive Order to expedite the exploration and development of seabed minerals.
The order mandates rapid development of US capabilities in the exploration, characterisation, collection and processing of critical deep seabed minerals to bolster domestic supply chains and reduce dependency on foreign resources.
Go deeper with GlobalData
It aims to establish the US as a global leader in seabed mineral exploration and development within and beyond national jurisdiction.
The directive also seeks to strengthen partnerships with allies and industry to counter China’s influence in the seabed mineral resource space.
The order stated: “The US faces unprecedented economic and national security challenges in securing reliable supplies of critical minerals independent of foreign adversary control. Vast offshore seabed areas hold critical minerals and energy resources.
“These resources are key to strengthening our economy, securing our energy future and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical minerals.”
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe order instructs the secretary of commerce to expedite the process for reviewing and issuing exploration and commercial recovery permits under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act within 60 days of the order execution.
The order also directs the secretary of commerce, along with the secretary of the interior and the secretary of energy, to provide a report identifying private sector interest and opportunities for seabed mineral exploration, mining and monitoring in the US Outer Continental Shelf.
Additionally, it calls for the development of a plan to map priority areas of the seabed to accelerate data collection.
The secretaries of commerce, state, interior and energy are tasked with engaging partners and allies for seabed mineral exploration and assessing the feasibility of an international seabed benefit-sharing mechanism.
Moreover, the secretaries of defense and energy are to provide a report addressing the feasibility of using the National Defense Stockpile for nodule-derived minerals.
The US International Development Finance Corporation, the Export-Import Bank of the US and the US Trade and Development Agency are directed to identify tools to support domestic and international seabed mineral resource exploration and environmental monitoring.
Proponents of deep-sea mining noted that it could reduce the necessity for extensive land-based mining operations, which frequently face opposition from local communities, Reuters reported.
However, environmental organisations are urging a complete ban on all activities, cautioning that industrial operations on the ocean floor may lead to irreversible loss of biodiversity.
Earlier this month, Trump signed executive orders to increase US coal production, defying international efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
