Canadian company The Metals Company (TMC) has made history by submitting the first-ever application to the United States government seeking approval to commercially mine deep-sea minerals in international waters. The application, filed by TMC’s U.S. subsidiary under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act and reviewed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), targets polymetallic nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean, a resource-rich area between Hawaii and Mexico.
This landmark move follows an executive order by former President Donald Trump aimed at accelerating the review and approval process for offshore mining permits, including those beyond U.S. territorial waters. Trump’s directive reflects a strategic effort to boost America’s access to critical minerals such as nickel, copper, cobalt, and manganese-essential for electric vehicle batteries, clean energy technologies, infrastructure, and national defense.
Gerard Barron, chairman and CEO of The Metals Company, hailed the application as “a major step forward for America’s mineral independence and industrial resurgence,” emphasizing the opportunity for the U.S. to lead responsible, science-driven deep-sea resource development amid delays in international regulatory frameworks.
The company’s application includes two exploration licenses covering nearly 200,000 square kilometers and a commercial recovery permit for over 25,000 square kilometers within the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. The area is estimated to contain vast quantities of critical metals, with projections of 15.5 million tonnes of nickel, 12.8 million tonnes of copper, 2 million tonnes of cobalt, and 345 million tonnes of manganese.
However, the application has sparked significant controversy. Environmental groups like Greenpeace warn that deep-sea mining poses serious risks to fragile ocean ecosystems that play vital roles in climate regulation. Critics also argue that the move bypasses the United Nations-backed International Seabed Authority (ISA), which traditionally governs mineral extraction in international waters under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The United States is not a signatory to UNCLOS, and TMC’s decision to seek U.S. approval rather than ISA authorization challenges established international norms.
The ISA has cautioned that commercial exploitation without its permission would breach international law, and many countries oppose unilateral actions that could undermine global regulatory efforts. The deep-sea mining industry remains in a regulatory limbo, with ongoing debates about environmental safeguards and sustainable practices.
Despite these hurdles, supporters argue that deep-sea mining is critical to meeting the growing global demand for minerals needed for the green energy transition. The International Energy Agency projects a 40% increase in demand for metals like copper and rare earth elements in the coming years.
TMC has pledged to minimize environmental impact by limiting seabed disturbance and leaving significant portions of mining areas untouched. Still, the company’s application may ignite legal and diplomatic challenges as the international community grapples with balancing economic interests and ocean conservation.
