US could issue deep-sea mining permits within months, Interior Secretary Burgum says

HOUSTON, Sept 14 (Reuters) – The Trump administration indicated on Monday that it is nearing approval of permits for deep-sea mining, part of a wider effort to expand U.S. access to the critical minerals used throughout much of the economy.

Speaking at a gathering of G20 energy ministers in Houston, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said permits could be issued within months as the administration pursues an “energy addition” strategy meant to broaden supply chains for the United States and its allies.

Since returning to office last year, President Donald Trump has taken steps to support the emerging deep-sea mining industry, but no operational permits allowing it to proceed have yet been issued.

The prospect of seabed mining getting underway has alarmed many environmentalists, who fear it could cause irreversible biodiversity loss.

Areas of the Pacific Ocean and other regions are estimated to hold large quantities of potato-shaped rocks called polymetallic nodules, which contain building blocks for electric vehicles, weapons and electronics.

“Those nodules that we just have to go out and vacuum up off the (sea) floor are filled with these critical minerals that we need,” Burgum said. “And of course, part of that is assuring that we’ve got diverse, secure, affordable supply of critical minerals.”

U.S. access to critical minerals—especially those processed by Chinese companies—has declined over the past 18 months as Beijing has limited exports. That has increased pressure on Washington to support efforts to boost domestic mining.

Asked when the federal government could issue deep-sea permits, Burgum said, “Those discussions are going on right now,” adding that, “You’ll be hearing more in the weeks and months ahead because there’s some exciting developments that are coming on that front.”

Burgum’s Interior Department oversees the Marine Minerals Administration, which must approve any permits to mine U.S. territorial waters.

The MMA review process would begin with a lease sale granting private companies exclusive access to mine part of the seabed. That would be followed by a process to consider an operational permit, which would take into account a range of scientific data.

Separately, Trump aims to have the Commerce Department issue international permits, a step that could set up a clash with the United Nations-backed International Seabed Authority, which has been trying to set standards for more than 25 years.

Companies that have formally requested seabed mining permits include The Metals Company and privately held Impossible Metals. Several others have applied for exploration permits.