The Canadian mining company, The Metals Company, is seeking permission from U.S. President Donald Trump to exploit the deep ocean floors, marking a significant first on the international stage. The company has formally applied to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for authorization to collect materials from a vast area of 25,160 square miles of ocean floor, located approximately 1,300 nautical miles south of San Diego. Additionally, they have requested two licenses to explore other areas for mining potential.
For several years, The Metals Company has aimed to extract materials from the batteries scattered across the ocean floor. In collaboration with President Trump, they intend to bypass existing regulations that have so far hindered commercial deep-sea mining endeavors. Critics have voiced strong opposition to this initiative. Louisa Casson, a leading activist for Greenpeace International, condemned the request, saying it represents a “total disregard for international law and scientific consensus.”
In a related move, Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at speeding up deep-sea mining, viewing it as a strategy to counter China’s dominance in mineral supply chains. He asserts that he has the authority to issue exploitation permits.
Moreover, over 30 countries, including U.S. neighbors Canada and Mexico, have advocated for a ban or moratorium on deep-sea mining until international regulations are established. This broad consensus underscores the global apprehension regarding potential environmental impacts and the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework for ocean resource exploitation.
