U.S. Plans Historic Deep-Sea Mining Lease Sale Off American Samoa

The Interior Department’s Marine Minerals Administration (MMA) announced a notice to auction two offshore blocks—one of 16.3 million acres and another of 15.1 million acres—totaling more than 31 million acres of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf surrounding American Samoa. The auction is scheduled for Nov. 19, 2026, will be livestreamed from BOEM’s offices in Camarillo, California, and will not be open to the public. Minimum bids are set at $3 million per block, with royalties beginning at $1.25 per acre in year 11 and rising thereafter. The lease terms would grant 20-year rights for preliminary activities such as geophysical surveys, biological sampling and oceanographic measurements, with any future commercial extraction requiring a separate mining plan and additional environmental review.

US Proposes First American Samoa Offshore Deep Sea Mining Lease Sale in Push for Critical Minerals

The proposal follows President Donald Trump’s 2025 executive order directing federal agencies to accelerate access to critical offshore mineral resources, a move aimed at reducing U.S. reliance on China for minerals used in electric vehicles, defense systems and renewable-energy technologies. Because the United States has not ratified the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) regulates exploration and commercial recovery of seabed minerals. The International Seabed Authority, a U.N. body that oversees mining in international waters, declined to comment, noting the area lies within the U.S. exclusive economic zone.

UsNews and World Report

The targeted region lies about 57 miles (92 km) from the Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and spans water depths from 4,600 to 20,000 feet (1,400 to 6,000 meters). Polymetallic nodules on the seafloor are believed to contain copper, nickel, cobalt, manganese and other metals essential for modern technology. More than 43 countries have called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, warning that the activity could generate noise, light, dust storms and sediment plumes that threaten fragile marine ecosystems.

U.S. moves ahead with American Samoa seabed mining plan amid Pacific concerns

Acting MMA director Matt Giacona framed the notice as “an important step toward building a secure domestic critical minerals supply chain, strengthening U.S. economic and national security, and ensuring America can compete and win in the 21st century.” The agency emphasized that the lease “does not guarantee that a lease sale will be held” or that “exploration or collection activities will occur should MMA move forward with a sale.” The governor of American Samoa, Pulaali'i Nikolao Pula, has a 60-day comment period before a final notice is expected in October.

Mongabay

Environmental groups and local advocates argue the proposal ignores scientific uncertainty and cultural stakes. Earthjustice attorney J.V. Langkilde said the administration “continues to bow to this untested, extractive industry and seeks to make American Samoa one of the first test sites.” Fa’asao Amerika Samoa spokesperson Seumalu Elora Raymond warned that “we will not stand by while an untested industry threatens to destroy American Samoa’s environment and cultural heritage for corporate profit.” Oceana described the lease as “yet another instance of this administration not only disregarding long-term damage to the environment but ignoring both science and the will of the people.”

EarthJustice

Sources differ on the total acreage: the AP report cites 33 million acres, while Interior Department releases reference 31 million acres. Depth ranges are similarly reported as 4,600-20,000 feet and 13,000-19,000 feet in separate excerpts. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management acknowledges “data gaps” in deeper waters, noting that biodiversity, ecological function and baseline conditions remain poorly characterized.

Associated Press

• “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

UsNews and World Report

• “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, Earthjustice attorney

EarthJustice

• “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, Fa’asao Amerika Samoa spokesperson

UsNews and World Report

• “Pacific people have made our position clear: we do not want deep sea mining in our waters,” — Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka, Founder, Finafinau Foundation

Mongabay

American Samoa’s governor must submit comments by Sept. 17, after which the MMA will issue a final lease-sale notice in October. If the auction proceeds, successful bidders will begin a 20-year exploration period, after which any commercial mining would require a separate environmental review and approval.

Mongabay