The effort could help spark a U.S.-led scramble for resources at the deep seabed before global standards covering the relatively new mining techniques are in place. Trump’s order directed his administration to expedite mining permits under the Deep Seabed Hard Minerals Resource Act of 1980 and to establish a process for issuing permits along the U.S. The International Seabed Authority - created by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which the U.S. has not ratified - has for years been considering standards for deep-sea mining in international waters. Any country can allow deep-sea mining in its own territorial waters - roughly up to 200 nautical miles from shore - and companies are already lining up to mine U.S. waters. Deep-sea mining supporters have said the practice would lessen the need for large mining operations on land, which are often unpopular with their host communities.

Source: International New York Times January 22, 2026 14:33 UTC