ClimatePolitics

US companies apply to explore deep-sea mining in area bordering Pacific island states

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 11/11/2026, 15:39:24 UTC.

Briefings

Two U.S. companies, American Deep Sea Minerals Inc. and American Ocean Minerals Corp., applied for seabed mining exploration licenses in international waters near the Cook Islands, Kiribati, and French Polynesia. These applications bypass the U.N.-linked multilateral body responsible for regulating deep-sea mining on the high seas. The companies aim to extract minerals from polymetallic nodules in these areas, which contain nickel, manganese, copper, cobalt, and other minerals. Local government officials and environmental groups are opposing these plans, which are part of a broader U.S. strategy to claim rights to international seabed blocks.

Key points

• Two U.S. companies, American Deep Sea Minerals Inc. and American Ocean Minerals Corp., applied for seabed mining exploration licenses in international waters near the Cook Islands, Kiribati, and French Polynesia.
• The applications bypass the U.N.-linked multilateral body tasked with regulating deep-sea mining activities on the high seas and protecting the marine environment.

Context

U.S. companies are seeking rights to large seabed blocks in international waters near Guam and the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) through a controversial permitting process that avoids the U.N. multilateral body. These areas harbor polymetallic nodules containing valuable minerals.

Limitations

Coverage is limited to two U.S. company applications in the South Pacific; broader claims in Guam and the CCZ are mentioned as part of a broader strategy but lack specific application details or dates.

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