Washington, DC – The Trump administration has launched its first formal tender for deep-sea mineral exploration and production.
This unprecedented move aims to boost supplies of strategic minerals used in advanced industries, technology, and energy.
Authorities grant licenses
The United States is offering vast offshore areas off American Samoa. Authorities intend to grant licenses to companies wishing to conduct surveys and exploration. This is a prelude to future extraction operations if studies prove the areas to be economically viable.
Criticism from environmental organizations
The US administration confirmed that the move is part of a plan to reduce reliance on foreign imports of rare earth minerals and enhance economic security and supply chains. This comes amid increasing global competition for natural resources.
However, the US move has drawn criticism from environmental organizations and experts. They warned of the potential impacts of deep-sea mining on ecosystems and marine life. Therefore, they called for further studies before proceeding with the project.
