The Trump administration will offer the first-ever offshore mining leases for deep-sea mining off the coast of American Samoa, as part of an effort to bolster the domestic critical mineral supply chain.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Marine Minerals Administration announced on Monday that it would offer two areas totaling nearly 32 million acres off the coast of American Samoa for offshore mining leases.
The lease sale would allow companies to recover polymetallic nodules, which are potato-sized rocks that sit on the sea floor and contain critical minerals such as cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, and nickel. The lease auction is set to take place on Nov. 19.
The Trump administration has sought to prop up the domestic critical-mineral supply chain to reduce U.S. reliance on China.
“Critical minerals are no longer just commodities; they are a vital strategic asset in global competition, essential for reaching our energy efficiency goals, strengthening our national defense, and securing domestic supply chains,” acting Marine Minerals Administration Director Mike Olsen said in a news release.
“MMA recognizes the ocean floor surrounding American Samoa carries cultural, economic, and environmental significance, requiring that the pursuit of National Security and energy readiness is balanced with rigorous environmental stewardship,” Olsen said. “As MMA evaluates potential deep-sea resources, its priority remains guided by science, environmental review, and meaningful engagement with the people and leadership of American Samoa.”
Faʻasao Amerika Samoa and Conservation Council for Hawaii, represented by the environmental group Earthjustice, filed a lawsuit in August challenging BOEM’s plan to hold a lease sale for seabed mining in the area.
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The groups filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii, arguing that large-scale deep-sea mining will destroy habitats, pollute the waters, and affect local communities.
The BOEM has also expressed interest in issuing leases for offshore mining in waters near the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Alaska, and Virginia.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
