Trump Issues Executive Order to Fast-Track Deep Sea Mining Amid Industry Pressure

Donald Trump aims to extract vital minerals found in rechargeable batteries from the ocean floor, having signed an order for this initiative. executive order On Thursday to attempt accelerating mining activities both within the U.S. and internationally.

This bold step has been criticized by experts who argue it might lead to unforeseen disruption of marine ecosystems and coastal economic activities, going against global accords. Discussions aimed at establishing guidelines for deep-sea mining continue within the International Seabed Authority (ISA). However, this process failed to meet its original deadlines. 2023 deadline And it continues to thwart attempts to begin commercial deep-sea mining.

"By circumventing the International Seabed Authority's global regulatory procedures to expedite deep-sea mining, we could establish a perilous example and contravene established international law," warned Duncan Currie, a legal advisor for the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition who supports halting deep-sea mining activities until further notice. This was stated during a press release.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) was set up through the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Over 160 countries have endorsed this convention; however, the U.S. has not done so yet. Disregarding the convention, President Trump’s executive order instructs federal agencies to hasten the issuance of permits for businesses aiming to extract minerals "outside national boundaries" as per the instructions provided. 1980 U.S. Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act A nation’s authority over its territory generally reaches approximately 200 nautical miles from shore.

The Trump administration aims to collaborate with industries "in countering China's increasing control over deep-sea mineral resources," according to the executive order. Nonetheless, commercial mining activities have not commenced in these areas as of now. deep ocean Where depths extend approximately 656 feet (200 meters) into international waters, various initiatives have already been undertaken. explore Sections of the seabed abundant in nickel, copper, cobalt, iron, and manganese, which are valuable for manufacturing rechargeable batteries, are attracting attention. Moreover, China is heavily involved in this pursuit. major processor of numerous key minerals.

China reacted on Friday: the BBC reported The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that Trump's action "goes against international law and undermines the collective interest of the global community."

The Metals Company announced In March, the Canadian firm had already "spoken with officials at the White House." intended to submit permit applications Under current U.S. mining regulations, one can start harvesting minerals from international waters.

California-based company Impossible Metals asked The Trump administration recently initiated an action at the beginning of this month aimed at selling mining rights for regions located offshore from American Samoa, these zones being under U.S. jurisdictional seas. Additionally, Trump’s directive mandates that the Secretary of the Interior hasten the procedures required for issuing permits to mine in areas situated within U.S. territorial waters.

Companies aiming to extract minerals from offshore areas claim that this method would result in lesser damage compared to terrestrial mining. However, their critics assert that there remains insufficient research to fully grasp the potential broad-ranging impacts of deep-sea mining on oceanic environments and the communities reliant upon them. Recent investigations have cautioned about these uncertainties. “irreversible” damage and loud noise affecting sea life , and one controversial study raises questions about whether the deep sea might be an essential source of " dark oxygen ” for the world.

More than 30 countries Including Palau, Fiji, Costa Rica, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, New Zealand, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, countries have demanded either a prohibition or suspension of deep-sea mining activities until global regulations are established to mitigate possible harm.

"The damage from deep-sea mining doesn't just affect the seafloor; it will have repercussions throughout the whole water column, from top to bottom, impacting every creature and entity dependent on it," stated Jeff Watters, vice president for external affairs at the non-profit organization Ocean Conservancy, in a press release.