Full Breakdown
U.S. Plans Historic Auction of 33 Million Acres Around American Samoa for Deep-Sea Mining
7/18/2026, 12:56:47 AM
Core Event
The Trump administration issued a leasing notice on Friday to auction 33 million acres (about 51,560 sq mi) of ocean surface surrounding American Samoa. The unprecedented sale targets the seafloor for copper, iron, zinc and other minerals deemed critical for technology, defense and electric-vehicle production. The notice follows an April executive order directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to accelerate permitting for seafloor mining.
Background & Context
Previous U.S. administrations adhered to the Jamaica-based United Nations International Seabed Authority (ISA), which has been debating mining rules for years. The United States has not ratified the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, so NOAA now regulates U.S. exploration and commercial recovery of minerals. In January, NOAA combined the exploration-license and commercial-operation applications into a single step, and the April executive order further streamlined the process. Over 43 countries have called for a moratorium or outright ban on deep-sea mining, warning that the activity could generate noise, light and dust storms that threaten fragile marine ecosystems.
Key Figures & Groups
- Matt Giacona, Acting Director, U.S. Marine Minerals Administration – leads the administration’s mineral-security rationale.
- Seumalu Elora Raymond, spokesperson for Fa’asao Amerika Samoa – represents a local community group opposing the lease sale.
- J.V. Langkilde, attorney with Earthjustice – heads legal challenges on behalf of environmental advocates.
- U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) – prepared the environmental assessment and lease-size scenarios.
- International Seabed Authority – has authorized exploration licenses for 22 contractors but has not approved commercial mining.
Data & Statistics
- Auction area: 33 million acres (51,560 sq mi).
- Water depths: 4,600 – 20,000 ft (1,400 – 6,000 m); some zones reach 13,000 – 19,000 ft.
- Proximity: 57 mi (92 km) from Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.
- Lease proposals: either up to two leases of ~17 million acres each or five leases of ~7 million acres each, limited to preliminary activities such as geophysical surveys and biological sampling.
- Global context: the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, a major mining focus, spans 1.7 million sq mi (4.5 million sq km) between Hawaii and Mexico; 22 contractors hold ISA exploration licenses there.
Official Statements & Responses
The administration argues that securing domestic sources of “critical minerals” reduces strategic risks posed by China’s dominance in supply chains. NOAA’s revised licensing framework is presented as a means to expedite development while maintaining environmental oversight. The ISA’s secretary-general did not respond to comment requests, and the government of American Samoa, which has banned deep-sea mining in its territorial waters, has not issued a statement.
Criticism & Opposition
Environmental groups and local Samoan advocates contend that the fast-track lease sale ignores community voices and threatens marine habitats. Scientists warn that mining could unleash disruptive noise, light and dust, endangering fragile ecosystems. Earthjustice and Fa’asao Amerika Samoa have publicly decried the move as “bulldozing” opposition and an “untested, extractive industry” poised to damage cultural heritage.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
BOEM’s assessment asserts no expected impacts to near-shore environments and no substantial adverse effects on offshore habitats, yet it acknowledges “some uncertainty remains regarding the potential for indirect or accidental impacts, particularly in deepwater and pelagic zones.” The agency also notes significant data gaps in biodiversity and baseline conditions for the deeper waters, contrasting with scientists’ broader warnings of ecological risk.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Critical minerals have become a strategic asset in global competition, and China’s dominance in the supply of many of these materials creates unacceptable risks for America’s energy, defense and manufacturing sectors,” — Matt Giacona, Acting Director, U.S. Marine Minerals Administration
- “We will not stand by while an untested industry threatens to destroy American Samoa’s environment and cultural heritage for corporate profit,” — Seumalu Elora Raymond, Spokesperson, Fa’asao Amerika Samoa
- “The Trump administration continues to bow to this untested, extractive industry and seeks to make American Samoa one of the first test sites,” — J.V. Langkilde, Attorney, Earthjustice
- “Offering large lease areas provides flexibility for environmental and technical exclusions,” — U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (report)
- “some uncertainty remains regarding the potential for indirect or accidental impacts, particularly in deepwater and pelagic zones” — U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (report)
