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US Poised for Deep-Sea Mining Auction Near American Samoa
4 Aug
Summary
- US proposes auctioning vast seabed lease areas for mineral exploration.
- Lease sale scheduled for November 19, 2026, for preliminary exploration.
- Environmental groups and local communities voice strong opposition.
The U.S. is moving closer to deep-sea mining with a proposed auction of vast seabed lease areas near American Samoa. Scheduled for November 19, 2026, this initiative aims to explore for critical minerals vital for clean energy and national security.
The proposal involves two lease blocks covering approximately 31.5 million acres. Successful bidders will initially be permitted only to conduct preliminary exploration, such as geological surveys and oceanographic measurements. Any future commercial extraction would necessitate separate federal approvals and extensive environmental reviews.
Despite assurances that initial activities are limited, the proposal faces significant opposition. Environmental organizations and local community groups in American Samoa argue that even preliminary leasing could endanger poorly understood marine ecosystems and disrupt cultural heritage. These concerns highlight a broader global debate, with many nations calling for a moratorium on deep-sea mining.
BOEM's environmental assessment suggests minimal impact from exploration, but critics argue more scientific data is needed before any leasing proceeds. The governor of American Samoa has a 60-day window to comment on the proposal, with final leasing notices to be published before the auction.
