White House weighs executive order to fast-track deep-sea mining, sources say

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The Trump administration is considering issuing an executive order that would streamline the permitting process for deep-sea mining in international waters and allow mining companies to bypass the United Nations-backed review process, according to sources familiar with the matter.

If the order is signed, it would be President Trump’s latest move to access international deposits of critical minerals such as nickel and copper. The order would also aim to boost domestic minerals production by invoking emergency powers.

The International Seabed Authority, established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, has been working on standards for deep-sea mining in international waters. However, disagreements over factors like noise and dust levels have prevented the formalization of these standards.

The order would allow mining companies to seek permitting through the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s mining code.

The plan is still under discussion and may undergo changes before it is finalized. The White House has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.

Advocates of deep-sea mining claim that its environmental impact is smaller than land mining. However, environmental groups argue against starting the practice due to potential risks to marine life.

Any country can permit deep-sea mining in its territorial waters, with some governments like the Cook Islands, Norway, and Japan showing interest in developing deep-sea mining industries.

The move to fast-track deep-sea mining could lead to tensions with other nations competing for resources in international waters, who believe that permitting should be overseen by a global body.

The push for deep-sea mining is partly driven by efforts to reduce China’s control over critical mineral production.

The Trump administration’s focus on critical minerals aims to reduce China’s dominance in their production. This move has implications for national security, especially as China has started restricting exports of key minerals used in defense applications.

It remains to be seen what staffing requirements NOAA would need to review deep-sea mining permits. The technical complexity of deep-sea mining, along with the distance from shore, adds challenges not present in land mining.

During a recent meeting with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned potential energy and mining collaborations, including opportunities for deep-sea mining.

Companies like The Metals Co, Impossible Metals, JSC Yuzhmorgeologiya, and others are eyeing deep-sea mining opportunities, highlighting the growing interest in this sector.