President Donald Trump signed an executive order meant to speed up the development of deep-sea mining in both US waters and international waters. The goal of the order is to increase the US supply of important minerals needed for various technologies, including those used in clean energy, which would reduce dependence on foreign sources, especially China.
Per CNN, the order instructs the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce to fast-track the permitting process for deep-sea mining exploration and commercial operations. This move could potentially bypass the International Seabed Authority (ISA), the United Nations-backed group responsible for creating rules for this emerging industry. The ISA has been working on a mining code since 2021, but Newsweek reports progress has been slow due to disagreements between countries over the possible environmental harm caused by deep-sea mining.
As reported by Reuters, the order has faced strong criticism from environmental groups, particularly Greenpeace. Greenpeace argues that the US government does not have the right to single-handedly approve activities that could seriously harm what they call “the common heritage of humankind.” Their opposition comes from worries about permanent damage to deep-sea ecosystems, which are still poorly understood and highly sensitive.
Trump’s Executive Order faces backlash from Greenpeace
Arlo Hemphill of Greenpeace said, “The United States government has no right to unilaterally allow an industry to destroy the common heritage of humankind, and rip up the deep sea for the profit of a few corporations.”
Environmental organizations warn that deep-sea mining could lead to major losses in biodiversity, widespread destruction of the ocean floor, and the spread of sediment clouds that could affect the entire water column. The long-term risks to marine life are seen as a serious concern.
The executive order mentions over one billion metric tons of polymetallic nodules in US waters, which contain valuable minerals like copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, and manganese. These minerals are key ingredients in computer chips, batteries, and other products necessary for transitioning to clean energy.
Officials in the administration have estimated that deep-sea mining could bring major economic benefits, possibly adding $300 billion to the US economy over ten years and creating 100,000 jobs. This economic boost is tied to the goal of securing a reliable supply chain for critical minerals and reducing reliance on China, which dominates the global market for these resources.
The Metals Company, a leading deep-sea mining company, supports the executive order, claiming that deep-sea mining is a more sustainable option compared to land-based mining, which often causes severe environmental damage and human rights violations.
The company points to the destruction caused by nickel mining in Indonesian rainforests as an example of the problems with land-based extraction. They argue that deep-sea mining should focus on areas with very little marine life.
On the other hand, ocean scientists and conservationists are highly doubtful about whether deep-sea mining is economically practical. Some experts believe the focus should be on improving the existing refining and processing of minerals rather than investing in the expensive and ecologically risky process of deep-sea mining. They argue that the current challenge in the supply chain is not a shortage of raw materials but rather the ability to process them efficiently.
Published: Apr 25, 2025 11:00 am