U.S. Territories Oppose Trump Plan for Deep-Sea Mining Exploration in Pacific

A U.S. government proposal to lease vast tracts of the Pacific seabed for deep-sea exploration has ignited opposition from U.S. territories in the region. The plan, put forth by the Marine Mineral Administration (MMA) under the Department of the Interior, involves auctioning leases for 28 million hectares of seafloor near the Mariana Trench. This initiative is part of a broader race with China for control over critical ocean minerals essential for batteries, electronics, and defense technologies.

Environmental groups have widely criticized deep-sea mining, emphasizing the urgent need for more research into its potential impacts on marine ecosystems. The Northern Mariana Islands, a self-governing commonwealth, and Guam, an unincorporated territory, have voiced significant concerns. Governor David Apatang of the Northern Marianas stated his government would approach the proposal with "extreme caution," stressing the necessity of "rigorous scientific baseline studies, complete transparency, and explicit protections for our marine resources."

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No activity, survey or otherwise, takes place without rigorous scientific baseline studies, complete transparency, and explicit protections for our marine resources.

His administration plans to thoroughly review the proposed terms over the next 60 days to ensure the ecological integrity of the waters and the long-term well-being of the Northern Marianas are safeguarded. While acknowledging the strategic importance of critical minerals, Governor Apatang insisted that no activity should commence without comprehensive environmental assessments.

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National security cannot mean asking the people of the Pacific to accept environmental risks before those risks are fully understood.

The office of the Governor of Guam echoed these sentiments, recognizing the Trump administration's focus on national security but asserting that "National security cannot mean asking the people of the Pacific to accept environmental risks before those risks are fully understood." Lieutenant Governor Joshua Tenorio unequivocally stated, "We’re unequivocally opposed to the deep sea mining efforts in this region." He expressed skepticism about assurances that mining would not begin immediately after lease awards, citing the rapid evolution of the situation.

This proposal follows closely on the heels of a similar leasing process initiated for 12.4 million hectares of seabed off American Samoa. The governor of American Samoa, Nikolau Pula, also reiterated his government's opposition to deep-sea mining, highlighting concerns over untested extraction procedures. The MMA stated it has completed an environmental review and will consider comments from the territories.

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We’re unequivocally opposed to the deep sea mining efforts in this region.