US Accelerates Deep Seabed Mining Quest for Vital Minerals

On April 24, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to accelerate U.S. exploration and extraction of deep seabed minerals, aiming to position the nation as a global leader in critical resources. The directive targets minerals like cobalt, nickel, and manganese, essential for defense, infrastructure, and clean energy technologies. By streamlining permits and boosting domestic capabilities, the administration seeks to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, particularly those controlled by China.

The order directs federal agencies to map priority seabed areas, expedite commercial permits, and assess private sector interest in mining and processing. It also emphasizes partnerships with allies to counter China's influence in global mineral markets. For many Americans, this move promises economic growth and job creation, but it has sparked debate over environmental impacts and international governance.

This initiative builds on earlier Trump administration actions, including orders to increase domestic mineral production and investigate import risks to national security. The focus on seabed resources reflects a broader strategy to secure strategic assets in a world where competition for minerals is intensifying.

Deep seabed minerals, found in nodules and crusts on the ocean floor, are vital for technologies driving the global energy transition. Cobalt and nickel power electric vehicle batteries, while manganese and rare earth elements are crucial for defense systems and renewable energy infrastructure. With demand surging, nations are racing to secure supplies, and the U.S. sees seabed mining as a way to bolster its economic and strategic edge.

China currently dominates the global mineral supply chain, controlling over 60% of lithium refining and 85% of rare earth processing. Its lead in seabed exploration, with five contracts from the International Seabed Authority (ISA), has raised concerns in Washington about dependency on a geopolitical rival. The U.S., limited by its non-ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), cannot sponsor ISA contracts, prompting a push for domestic and allied partnerships.

The executive order also ties seabed mining to national security, directing the Departments of Defense and Energy to explore stockpiling nodule-derived minerals. This reflects fears that supply disruptions, whether from trade disputes or export controls, could weaken U.S. military and economic resilience.

While the economic and strategic benefits are clear, seabed mining carries significant environmental risks. Extracting nodules can destroy fragile deep-sea habitats, home to slow-growing species like sponges and corals. Sediment plumes from mining operations may smother marine life, spread toxic chemicals, and disrupt ecosystems far beyond the mining site. Scientists warn that these impacts could last centuries, with cascading effects on biodiversity and ocean health.

Noise and light pollution from mining equipment also threaten deep-sea species, including whales, by interfering with feeding and communication. The removal of nodules, which play a role in carbon sequestration, could even affect climate regulation. With limited data on deep-sea ecosystems, many researchers argue that the risks are not fully understood, fueling calls for a precautionary pause until robust safeguards are in place.

Over 30 countries, including France and Canada, now support a moratorium on commercial seabed mining, citing environmental concerns. In the U.S., some lawmakers echo these calls, urging comprehensive impact assessments before permits are issued. The Trump administration’s order, however, prioritizes rapid development, raising questions about how environmental protections will be balanced with economic goals.

The push for seabed minerals is unfolding against a backdrop of global competition and fractured governance. The ISA, tasked with regulating mining in international waters, is negotiating a Mining Code to set environmental and commercial standards. Progress is slow, with debates over benefit-sharing and ecological safeguards dividing nations. Some, like China and Russia, favor rapid exploitation, while others advocate for stricter rules or outright bans.

The U.S.’s absence from UNCLOS limits its influence over these negotiations, leaving it reliant on domestic laws like the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act of 1980. This has led to a strategy of unilateral action and alliances with countries like Australia and Japan, which share concerns about China’s dominance. Yet, this approach risks isolating the U.S. from global standards, potentially complicating access to international markets.

For developing nations, the promise of seabed mining as a “common heritage of mankind” remains contentious. Many question whether economic benefits will reach their communities or simply enrich corporations and industrialized states. The U.S. order’s call for a benefit-sharing mechanism with allies hints at these tensions, but details remain unclear.

Trump’s executive order marks a pivotal moment in the U.S.’s pursuit of seabed minerals, blending ambition with complexity. It offers a vision of economic strength and strategic independence, tapping into vast offshore resources to fuel growth and counter global rivals. Yet, the environmental unknowns and geopolitical challenges underscore the need for careful navigation. Balancing rapid development with ecosystem protection will test the administration’s ability to align economic goals with long-term sustainability.

As the U.S. moves forward, the world watches closely. The outcome of this push could reshape global mineral markets, redefine ocean governance, and influence the delicate balance of planetary health. For now, the nation stands at a crossroads, weighing the promise of deep-sea riches against the risks of an uncharted frontier.