The United States has taken another significant step toward establishing its domestic deep sea mining industry after proposing to lease two vast seabed blocks off the coast of American Samoa for mineral exploration and potential future commercial recovery. The proposal, announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Marine Mineral Administration (MMA) and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), marks the first planned commercial leasing process for deep-sea mineral resources within U.S. offshore waters. The move follows President Donald Trump’s 2025 executive order directing federal agencies to accelerate access to critical offshore mineral resources as Washington seeks to reduce dependence on foreign supply chains, particularly those dominated by China.
American Samoa proposed deep sea mining leasing notice
According to the proposed leasing notice released on July 16, the two lease blocks cover 31.4 million acres of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf surrounding American Samoa. The seabed mining blocks would be offered for competitive bidding.
One block spans about 16.3 million acres while the second covers approximately 15.1 million acres. The proposed lease sale is also expected to take place later this year, with current plans indicating a November auction.
The proposed leases would have an initial term of 20 years and require a minimum bid of $3 million each. Successful bidders would initially be permitted to undertake geological surveys, biological sampling, oceanographic studies and other exploration activities.
Any future commercial extraction would require submission of a separate mining plan and additional environmental reviews before operations could commence.
The two American Samoa offshore seabed blocks planned for mineral exploration
The targeted region lies approximately 57 miles (92 km) from the Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. It is in water depths ranging from about 1,400 meters to more than 6,000 meters.
Government assessments also indicate the seabed may contain commercially valuable polymetallic nodules and ferromanganese crusts. These are rich in cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper and other minerals used in electric vehicles, defense technologies, renewable energy systems and advanced electronics.
U.S. policy toward deep sea mining
The initiative represents a major shift in U.S. policy toward seabed mining. Unlike most countries, the United States has never ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This allows the country to regulate mining within its own Outer Continental Shelf through domestic legislation rather than through the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
The administration also argues that accelerating domestic production of critical minerals is necessary. This is with aim to strengthen national security and reduce strategic vulnerabilities in global supply chains. The U.S. is also accelerating critical minerals production through partnerships with countries such as Japan in a bid to reduce dependence on China.
Criticism against the American Samoa offshore seabed mining lease proposal
Environmental organizations and Pacific community groups have sharply criticized the proposal. The critics argue that deep-sea ecosystems remain poorly understood. They also make a point on commercial mining causing irreversible damage to fragile marine habitats through sediment plumes, underwater noise and biodiversity loss.
American Samoa itself has previously prohibited deep-sea mining within its territorial waters. Additionally, campaigners say local communities have not been adequately consulted over activities planned in adjacent federal waters.
Scientists also continue to debate the environmental risks associated with deep-sea mining. More than 40 countries worldwide have called for either a moratorium or precautionary pause until further research is completed.
Nevertheless, growing demand for critical minerals is driving renewed interest from governments seeking secure domestic supplies amid increasing geopolitical competition.
The proposed leasing process now enters a public consultation phase before the government determines whether to proceed with the inaugural American Samoa offshore mineral lease sale.
American Samoa deep sea mining lease sale: Fact sheet
Location
- Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)
- Offshore American Samoa
- South Pacific Ocean
Status
- Proposed leasing notice issued (July 2026)
Minerals Targeted
- Polymetallic nodules
- Ferromanganese crusts
Containing:
- Nickel
- Cobalt
- Copper
- Manganese
Lease Areas
- Block 1: 16.3 million acres
- Block 2: 15.1 million acres
- Total: 31.4 million acres
Water Depth
- 1,400-6,000 meters
Lease Duration
- 20 years
Minimum Bid
- US$3 million per lease
Planned Activities
- Geophysical surveys
- Geological investigations
- Biological sampling
- Oceanographic measurements
- Environmental studies
- Resource assessment
Future Commercial Mining
Subject to:
- Mining plan submission
- Federal environmental review
- Regulatory approvals
Auction
- Expected November 19, 2026
Nearby Protected Area
- Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Lease Sale Purpose
- Secure domestic critical mineral supply
- Reduce dependence on overseas suppliers
- Support defense manufacturing
- Support EV batteries
- Support renewable energy technologies
- Strengthen U.S. supply-chain resilience
Companies, Developers and Environmental Groups Involved in American Samoa deep sea mining
Government
- U.S. Department of the Interior
- Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)
- Marine Mineral Administration (MMA)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Territorial Government
- Government of American Samoa
International
- International Seabed Authority (ISA)
Environmental Groups Involved
- Earthjustice
- Oceana
- Greenpeace USA
- Fa’asao Amerika Samoa
Leave a Reply