On April 25, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at expediting deep-sea mining operations in both U.S. and international waters. The directive instructs federal agencies to accelerate permitting processes under the 1980 U.S. Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act, with the goal of reducing dependence on foreign sources for critical minerals essential for technologies such as electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure.
The executive order has drawn criticism from environmental organizations and over 30 countries, including Greenpeace USA, which condemned the move as a violation of international law and a threat to marine ecosystems. Critics argue that deep-sea mining poses significant risks to oceanic biodiversity and undermines global efforts to establish environmental safeguards through the United Nations-affiliated International Seabed Authority (ISA). The United States, which has not ratified the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, currently holds observer status within the ISA.
In response to these concerns, the executive order includes provisions for enhanced procedural protections, such as advance-notice requirements and heightened approval processes, to mitigate the impact on marine environments.
The Metals Company, a Canadian firm with U.S. operations, has expressed interest in applying for permits to commence mining activities in international waters. The company has invested over $500 million in exploratory efforts and is poised to seek approval from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to initiate operations.
This development marks a significant shift in U.S. policy regarding deep-sea mining, emphasizing the nation’s strategic interests in securing access to critical minerals while balancing environmental considerations.
