US EditionCanadian company turns to Trump for permission to mine international waters, bypassing a UN agency
- In late March 2025, Canadian firm The Metals Company submitted applications to the U.S. Government to begin deep-sea mining in international waters, bypassing the U.N.'s International Seabed Authority based in Jamaica.
- This filing followed a Trump executive order directing expedited review of mining permits, despite international law mandating that the ISA authorize such commercial exploitation outside national jurisdiction.
- The Metals Company claims it can begin mining operations under U.S. Regulations for seabed minerals since it is not subject to the International Seabed Authority’s rules, while scientists and environmental advocates caution that such activities could irreversibly harm crucial ocean ecosystems that play a key role in climate regulation.
- Gerard Barron, CEO of The Metals Company, described the applications as offering the U.S. An immediate opportunity to secure significant quantities of essential minerals like nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese, while activists criticized the predominantly American initiative for facing strong global resistance.
- The submission sparked outrage and may trigger legal battles, highlighting tensions over seabed mining governance and potential environmental harm amid delays in ISA regulations and U.S. Non-ratification of UNCLOS.
97 Articles
97 Articles
Canadian firm seeks U.S. approval to mine deep-sea minerals, bypassing UN oversight
A Canadian company has asked the U.S. government for permission to mine international seafloors, sidestepping a United Nations agency and igniting legal and environmental disputes.Dánica Coto reports for The Associated Press.In short:The Metals Company applied to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for two exploration licenses and a commercial recovery permit to mine the seabed, becoming the first company to request such aut…
Canadian company turns to Trump for the green light to mine international waters, bypassing a UN agency
A Canadian company announced on Tuesday that its US subsidiary submitted applications to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to mine the seafloor, sparking outrage by bypassing a U.N. agency that regulates deep international waters.
Conservation news
ecotopical.comThe Metals Company applied to the U.S. for a deep-sea mining license
This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center’s Ocean Reporting Network, where Elizabeth Claire Alberts is a fellow. Mere days after the Trump administration rolled out a controversial executive order directing the U.S. government to expedite the launch of deep-sea mining, The Metals Company (TMC) announced that it had applied for a license to mine the deep seabed. If approved, the Canadian firm, which is listed on the Nasdaq in New York, coul…
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