[REVISION HISTORY]
U.S. deep-sea mining leasing in American Samoa
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2026-10-31 10:41 UTC → 2026-10-31 11:05 UTC ·
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The U.S. Department of the Interior, through the newly formed Marine Minerals Administration, has moved to advance seabed mining near American Samoa. This process follows an April 2025 executive order intended to expedite mineral permits and leases to secure domestic supplies of critical minerals like nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese. In October 2026, federal officials issued a final leasing notice for two areas covering more than 31 million acres. The first auction, designated PACM-1, is scheduled for November 19. The leases, which carry a minimum bid of $3 million and a 20-year primary term, were prompted by requests from Impossible Metals to begin exploration. To support these efforts, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced an initiative to map critical mineral deposits in the deep waters surrounding American Samoa to identify resources essential for renewable energy and electronics. While the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has not yet issued any leases, the push continues despite environmental assessments for the proposed leases found finding no significant impact, the initiative has faced opposition. impact. Opposition remains significant. Environmental advocates and local populations have raised concerns regarding potential risks to marine life, the creation of sediment plumes that could smother coral reefs, and chemical runoff affecting water quality and the fishing industry. Congress is expected to review the role Theresa Arriola of territories in Blue Ocean Law has argued that the leasing process and push for deep-sea mining may undermine the adequacy sovereignty of environmental safeguards. Pacific islands, citing a lack of local government consultation. Furthermore, as of July, 46 countries have called for a moratorium or precautionary pause on commercial deep-sea mining.
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- 2026-10-31 11:05 UTC U.S. deep-sea mining leasing in American Samoa
- 2026-10-31 10:41 UTC U.S. deep-sea mining leasing in American Samoa
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