Seabed mining negotiations and national/industry activity
Key Questions
What changes are occurring in US offshore minerals management?
DOI's BOEM/BSEE is transitioning to a Marine Minerals Admin for US offshore minerals. BOEM issued RFIs for CNMI and Alaska.
What happened at the ISA's 31st Council in March 2026?
The ISA 31st Council faced deadlock, with DOSI pushing for environmental standards, REMPS, and biodiversity protections. Discussions centered on deep-sea mining regulations.
What applications did US companies file for deep-sea mining?
TMC and Deep Sea Minerals filed NOAA CCZ applications and EIS, with TMC getting green light for Pacific exploration. 98% of sediment resettles, per CEO on strategic minerals.
What rare earth discovery did JAMSTEC make?
JAMSTEC's Chikyu found 16 million tons of REE at Minamitorishima, 6km deep, potentially a 700-year supply. This highlights Japan's deep-sea resource potential.
How are Santa Cruz advocates responding to deep-sea mining?
Santa Cruz and Pacific civil society are battling BOEM and TMC nodule mining through protests and moratorium pushes. They oppose seabed mining impacts.
What is Norway's EMINENT project?
Norway's EMINENT project demonstrated first seabed copper extraction using bioleaching. It involved academia-industry collaboration for a full deep-sea value chain.
What joint test is GSR conducting with Japan?
GSR signed an MoU with Japan's DORD for a CCZ demonstration test. This advances deep-sea mineral exploration.
What environmental concerns surround deep-sea mining?
UniLodz studies show plumes causing amphipod crashes; deep pollution includes PCBs and PFAS. Advocacy focuses on biodiversity risks and policy monitoring.
DOI BOEM/BSEE transition to Marine Minerals Admin for US offshore minerals; ISA 31st Council Mar '26 DOSI push env/REMPS/biodiv; US rush TMC/Deep Sea Minerals NOAA CCZ apps/EIS (98% sed resettle/CEO strategic minerals/Reddit hype); JAMSTEC Chikyu Minamitorishima REE 16M tons 6km (700yr supply); Santa Cruz/Pacific civil society ocean advocates battle BOEM/TMC nodule mining (protests/moratorium push); Norway EMINENT Cu bioleaching; GSR/DORD Japan CCZ test; BOEM CNMI/Alaska RFI; UniLodz plumes/amphipod crash; ISA deadlock; China fleet/CAS; deep pollution PCBs/PFAS. Monitor policy/risks.