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Deep sea mining is not yet allowed by international law
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However, the Trump administration may soon permit it anyway. Industry experts say deep sea mining could help countries around the world
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acquire critical mineral resources needed for a variety of technologies, while reducing dependence on land-based extraction methods
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that can create millions of tons of carbon emissions annually. However, environmental organizations and some governments have raised concerns
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about the ecological impacts of deep sea mining, with studies suggesting these are
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operations could disrupt marine ecosystems, as the long-term effects on oceanic biodiversity remain
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uncertain. This is why the United Nations-backed International Seabed Authority is slowly working
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on regulatory guidelines before permitting the practice. The organization holds jurisdiction over seabed mining in waters outside the coastal areas of each nation. But while the U.S. has
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officially recognized the U.N. Treaty that established the International Seabed Authority, It has never ratified the document, leading to legal debate over whether the country can grant mining licenses independently
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The metals company, which spent hundreds of millions of dollars on exploratory work for deep sea mining in the Pacific Ocean
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recently revealed it engaged in negotiations with the Trump administration seeking U.S. authorization to begin operations in international waters as soon as 2027
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The Commerce Department did not provide an official stance on whether the administration will move forward with this
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But drafts of an executive order that would direct the U.S. government to approve deep sea mining have reportedly been circulating among policymakers
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Representatives from the International Seabed Authority currently attending a work session in Kingston, Jamaica, are expected to meet soon and discuss how they will respond to this development
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For straight arrow news, I'm Jack Almer
