Deep-Sea Mining Race Heats Up as US Moves to Expedite Permits

The Trump administration is moving forward to encourage US companies to explore the deep sea by speeding up permitting for critical mineral extraction in international waters, a step likely to raise environmental and legal debates. The initiative could trigger a US-led rush for seabed resources before global standards for the emerging mining methods are finalized.

This week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) finalized a rule following President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at strengthening the US deep-sea mining sector and countering China’s dominance in critical metals. According to a government press release reviewed by Reuters, the new regulation consolidates the licensing and permitting stages into a single, faster review process.

Canadian firm The Metals Company (TMC.O) began seeking exploration licenses and permits last year, aiming to be the first to develop deep-sea mineral deposits. “This new rule represents a meaningful modernization of the US regulatory framework for deep seabed nodule collection and acknowledges the significant advances the industry has made since the US regime was first established,” Gerard Baron, CEO, The Metals Company, said in a statement.

Trump’s executive order directs the administration to expedite permits under the Deep Seabed Hard Minerals Resource Act of 1980 and establish a process for issuing licenses along the US Outer Continental Shelf. While the ISA, created under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, has been developing standards for international waters, disagreements over dust, noise, and environmental impact have stalled formal rules.

Deep-Sea Mining: Economic Promise vs. Environmental Peril

The deep ocean remains one of the planet’s least explored ecosystems. The Clarion-Clipperton Zone alone is estimated to contain over 21 billion t of polymetallic nodules, with roughly 1.8Bt of manganese, 270Mt of nickel, 78Mt of copper, and 7.6Mt of cobalt. Hydrothermal vent fields may contain additional deposits of gold, silver, platinum, and rare earth elements, potentially totaling millions of tons. Advocates argue that these reserves could supply the materials needed for hundreds of millions of electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy systems, offering an alternative to terrestrial mining, which is often linked to environmental degradation, deforestation, and social conflicts, while bolstering global supply chains.

Despite economic incentives, deep-sea mining carries environmental risks. The extraction process destroys seabed habitats that have taken millions of years to form, causing irreversible biodiversity loss. Sediment plumes generated during mining can spread toxins over wide areas, disrupting feeding, reproduction, and other biological processes. Disturbing ocean sediments may also release stored carbon, potentially reducing the ocean’s capacity to regulate global climate. Fisheries and coastal communities could face cascading consequences, with food security and livelihoods threatened. Global governance adds another layer of complexity. The ISA is tasked with regulating mining in international waters, but standards remain unsettled. 

Oceans Research experts point out that sustainable alternatives exist. Recycling “urban mining” of e-waste, improving land-based mining practices, developing alternative battery technologies, and strengthening marine protection laws offer pathways to meet demand without harming deep-sea ecosystems. “As global interest accelerates, careful regulation, scientific research, and international cooperation are essential. Policymakers must weigh the economic promise of seabed minerals against irreversible environmental damage to ensure that the deep ocean remains protected while advancing technology and energy transition goals.”

Mexico’s Evolving Position on Deep-Sea Mining

Mexico has not yet engaged in marine mining but holds significant potential, ranking 12th globally for marine area and located near prolific seabed mineral regions. An early signatory and ratifier of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Mexico has been active in International Seabed Authority discussions. Santiago Suárez, Partner, SLM, told MBN that Mexico’s stance on deep-sea mining has evolved: while it initially supported accelerating the ISA’s regulatory processes in July 2023, by November 2023 it joined 25 other nations in calling for a moratorium on seabed mining.

Through a joint statement from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mexico urged other countries to suspend seabed mining in national jurisdictions and the high seas until adequate environmental impact studies are completed. The country also announced it will not endorse international licenses until these conditions are met but remains open to collaborating with the ISA once regulations are established, likely adjusting its position within a framework of international legal certainty.

Global Developments in Deep-Sea Mining

Countries are taking different approaches to deep-sea mining. For instance, recently Norway has decided to halt deep-sea mining after the ruling Labor Party reached an agreement with the opposition Socialist left Party to secure approval of its latest budget. Under the deal, no new deep-sea mining licenses will be issued in Norwegian territorial waters until 2029.

The move reverses Norway’s plan announced 18 months ago, to grant exploration permits this year, according to BMO Capital Markets. Earlier proposals had identified 386 offshore blocks, covering roughly 38% of the 280,000km2 approved by Parliament for exploration. Last year, at least two companies submitted license applications, and the government had promoted Arctic deep-sea mining to strengthen Europe’s supply of critical minerals such as copper, nickel, manganese, and rare earth elements. However, commercial mining operations were not expected to start before 2030.

China, in contrast, is aggressively expanding its presence in deep-sea mineral exploration, particularly in the Pacific Ocean. Beijing has signed an agreement with the Cook Islands to cooperate on seabed mineral research and development, establishing a joint committee to oversee these activities. China now holds more exploration licenses in international waters than any other country and is reportedly considering a partnership with Kiribati for further seabed resource development. Its initiatives focus on mapping mineral-rich seabeds, conducting technical and environmental assessments, and positioning itself ahead of competitors like the United States, which is also active in the region but is not a signatory to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. While China commits to following international law principles, scientists caution that the rush for minerals may still harm fragile ecosystems.

Other countries, including Japan and the Cook Islands, are also exploring deep-sea mining within their 200-nautical-mile territorial waters.  In May, the United States began negotiations with the Cook Islands to collaborate on seabed mineral exploration in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), just months after the Cook Islands signed a similar partnership with China.