US Pacific Territories Oppose Trump Administration Deep-Sea Mining Plan

Seabed Lease Proposal

The Marine Mineral Administration (MMA), an agency under the US Department of the Interior, has released a proposal to auction deep-sea mining leases. The plan involves leasing millions of hectares of seabed located off the coast of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, specifically near the Mariana Trench.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to secure critical ocean minerals. The administration is currently engaged in a race with China for control of these minerals, which are essential for the production of military technologies and batteries.

Territorial Opposition and Legal Bans

The proposal has drawn significant opposition from US territories in the Pacific. Governor David Apatang of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands stated that President Trump’s support for deep-sea mining has caused "great unease" across the island chain.

Several territories have already taken legislative action to prevent such activities. Guam and American Samoa have both banned deep-sea mining in their local waters. A similar push to implement a ban is currently underway in the Northern Mariana Islands. Republican House representatives from all three territories have expressed concern that their constituents will bear the brunt of the environmental and economic harm.

Concerns Over Consultation and Culture

Residents and leaders have criticized the US government for a lack of meaningful consultation. According to reports, the government published information on its proposals only after it was requested, and no consultation with community members or government officials occurred prior to the publication. The subsequent public comment period was limited to 28 days.

Leaders in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands reported they were not informed of the plan ahead of time. The Trump administration had initiated a request for information (RFI) for the lease sale during the waning hours of the 2025 government shutdown.

Indigenous communities have also voiced opposition based on cultural values. Monaeka Flores, a CHamoru activist and founding member of Prutehi Guåhan, testified before the Guam legislature that aggressive mining clashes with a cultural worldview rooted in reciprocity. Flores stated that Indigenous people "ask for permission" when taking from the ocean to ensure they do not take too much.

Corporate Interests and International Tension

Private companies are moving to capitalize on the administration's push. The startup Impossible Metals has targeted seafloor nodules in US waters near the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. Additionally, a Bay Area investor and company called American Deep Sea Minerals has a pending permit application to explore seabed mining in international waters surrounded by the maritime borders of Kiribati, French Polynesia, and the Cook Islands.

French Polynesia has formally objected to the American seabed mining plan, noting it was made without their input. This activity is part of a wider trend where at least a dozen applications are under consideration as the US seeks to become a leader in critical mineral mining.

Government Response

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has defended its consultation process and timeline. The agency stated that it "understands and respects the deep cultural, environmental and historical connections Pacific Island communities have with the ocean". BOEM further insists that it has engaged with the governors of the affected territories.