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| US deep sea mining |
Trump’s Executive Order Accelerates US Deep-Sea Mining Strategy
The US deep-sea mining directive marks a historic pivot from multilateral to unilateral ocean resource governance. President Donald Trump’s April executive order fast-tracks seabed mining under the US Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act, bypassing the UN International Seabed Authority (ISA). This strategy, framed as a means to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals, reopens debates on UNCLOS compliance and global legal norms.
Legal and Environmental Risks Undermine Stability in International Waters
However, the departure from UNCLOS guidelines alarms legal experts and environmental groups. The US, while never ratifying UNCLOS, has historically followed its deep-sea provisions. Trump’s move may undermine the ISA’s authority, embolden other nations to pursue unilateral claims, and provoke legal and territorial disputes. As the ISA delays its final exploitation framework, the regulatory vacuum grows.
Industry Momentum Surges Amid Global Mineral Demand
Meanwhile, The Metals Company (TMC) and Impossible Metals are accelerating applications under the new US framework. Backed by an $85.2 million investment from Korea Zinc, TMC aims to extract polymetallic nodules rich in cobalt, manganese, and rare earth elements. The IEA projects soaring demand for battery metals, incentivizing more nations—like Japan, Norway, and the Cook Islands—to pursue seabed extraction. Critics warn that fragile deep-sea ecosystems could suffer irreversible damage.
ScrapInsight Commentary
Trump’s push for US deep-sea mining redefines mineral geopolitics and regulatory sovereignty. If unchecked, this trend could fragment global maritime law and accelerate uncoordinated seabed exploitation. The scrap and recycling sector may benefit if deep-sea sources delay, prompting sustained demand for secondary critical metals.
