The US Department of the Interior said on Thursday that it was issuing a notice seeking information and interest to explore the potential for seabed mineral leasing offshore American Samoa.
In a statement, the department said the move would initiate a 30-day public comment period and kick off formal actions that could lead to the first mineral leasing sale in federal waters in over three decades.
US President Trump signed an executive order in late April aimed at boosting the deep-sea mining industry, his latest attempt to improve US access to nickel, copper, and other critical minerals widely used in the economy.
The executive order seeks to initiate mining activities in both US and international waters.
Deep-sea mining company Impossible Metals said in mid-April that it had asked US federal officials to launch a commercial auction to secure mining rights for nickel, cobalt, and other important minerals off the coast of American Samoa.
Supporters of deep-sea mining say it would reduce the need for large-scale mining operations on land, which are often unpopular with local communities. Critics say more research is needed to determine how such practices affect ecosystems.
US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said the move aimed to "unlock our vast offshore mineral resources and end our reliance on foreign supply chains."
(Wenhua Comprehensive)
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