The United States has scheduled its first sale of offshore mining licenses for November 19, 2023. This sale includes over 31 million acres of seabed near American Samoa, allowing companies to seek critical minerals from the depths of the sea.
Details of the License Sale
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management of the U.S. Department of the Interior issued the final notice of the license sale on October 16, 2023. This sale, titled PACM-1, includes two lease areas covering 16.3 million acres and 15.2 million acres, respectively. The final lease terms stipulate that each area has a minimum bid of $3 million and a primary 20-year lease term.
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National and Environmental Significance
These areas include potential reserves of polymetallic nodules and iron and manganese crusts, which may contain valuable minerals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese. The U.S. government has prioritized the development of domestic sources of critical minerals as a national security measure to reduce dependence on supply chains dominated by China.
Acting Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Mike Olson, stated that these minerals are no longer just commodities but are considered a vital strategic asset in global competition. However, he also highlighted the cultural, economic, and environmental importance of the waters surrounding American Samoa, emphasizing that mineral development must go hand in hand with environmental protection and engagement with local communities.
Bidders cannot immediately begin extraction. According to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, lessees will initially only be allowed to conduct preliminary activities such as mapping and environmental surveys, and will require federal approvals and separate environmental reviews for broader exploration and commercial mining.
Local Criticism and Concerns
The announcement of this license sale has faced sharp criticism from environmental groups. These groups strongly oppose opening deep-sea areas to commercial extraction before fully understanding the environmental impacts. Oceana's campaign director, Julia Singer, stated that this license sale will be a gateway to the exploitation of deep seas and that local and scientific concerns are being ignored.
The Governor of American Samoa, Lemanu Peleti Mauga, called for stronger environmental oversight and protection of local fishing industries in his remarks. He also emphasized that any future commercial extraction should be reviewed separately from the license sale and should not be considered an inevitable outcome.
In response to the governor's requests, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management acknowledged that current laws do not allow for the distribution of federal mineral revenues to American Samoa. This announcement follows actions by the U.S. government to establish a domestic industry in offshore mining.
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