U.S. Initiates Offshore Mineral Lease Review Near American Samoa After More Than 30 Years
On June 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior published a Request for Information and Interest in the Federal Register to explore the potential for seabed mineral leasing in federal waters off American Samoa. This action inaugurates a 30-day public comment period, representing the first formal step toward an offshore mineral lease in U.S. waters in over thirty years. The initiative follows a formal request submitted on April 8, 2025, by Impossible Metals, a U.S.-based deep-sea mining company, to BOEM (the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management) for a commercial lease sale for critical mineral deposits near American Samoa.
This review is grounded in a Presidential Executive Order issued in April 2025, which directs federal agencies to facilitate domestic access to offshore critical minerals, such as nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese, to strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce reliance on foreign sources, notably in light of China’s leading position in the global minerals sector. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has emphasized that unlocking offshore mineral resources aligns with national security objectives and supports emerging clean energy technologies. Although the United States has not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, domestic law via the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act provides the authority for BOEM to conduct this process within U.S. federal waters.
BOEM’s evaluation will proceed in multiple phases, consistent with legal requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act. The published Request for Information and Interest invites input from a broad range of stakeholders, including Indigenous communities of American Samoa, fishing and maritime industries, scientific researchers, environmental organizations, government agencies, and the general public. Feedback collected during the 30-day comment window (June 12 to July 12, 2025) will inform assessments of geological potential, environmental sensitivities, cultural heritage considerations, and existing ocean uses such as navigation and fisheries.
Stakeholder Perspectives
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Industry Proponents: Supporters, including Impossible Metals, argue that deep-sea mining could alleviate the environmental and social impacts associated with large-scale terrestrial mining operations. They assert that advanced technologies, such as autonomous underwater vehicles equipped with AI-driven navigation, can selectively harvest polymetallic nodules while minimizing disturbance to marine life.
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Environmental and Scientific Concerns: Environmental groups caution that deep-sea ecosystems are poorly understood and potentially vulnerable to irreversible damage. Organizations such as Earthjustice and other advocacy groups highlight the risk to biodiversity, impacts on carbon sequestration processes, and possible disruption to fisheries. They call for comprehensive baseline studies and rigorous environmental impact assessments prior to any leasing decision.
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Local Community Interests: Leaders and stakeholders in American Samoa may raise concerns related to cultural heritage, subsistence fishing, and marine resource use. Input from Indigenous and local communities is critical to ensure that traditional livelihoods and cultural values are respected in any potential development scenario.
BOEM must evaluate the ecological sensitivity of deep-sea habitats, including seamounts, hydrothermal vent fields, and areas with polymetallic nodule fields. The review will examine potential impacts on benthic communities, migratory species, and broader oceanographic processes, as well as cumulative effects from other human activities. Rigorous scientific study—potentially including environmental baseline surveys, modeling of sediment plumes, and post-mining monitoring frameworks—will be required before proceeding to lease issuance.
This U.S. initiative occurs in a global context where China, Russia, and other nations are also advancing seabed resource programs. By initiating this review, the United States signals its intent to secure domestic sources of critical minerals essential for high-technology, renewable energy systems, and defense applications. The move is intended to reduce strategic vulnerabilities in supply chains and to assert a presence in Pacific maritime resource development.
Next Steps and Timeline
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Public Comment Period: Open from June 12 to July 12, 2025. Interested parties may submit comments via the Federal Register portal.
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BOEM Analysis: Following the comment period, BOEM will review submissions, commission or review scientific studies, conduct environmental assessments, and consult with relevant agencies and local authorities.
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Decision Point: If BOEM determines there is sufficient interest, geological potential, and acceptable environmental safeguards, it may proceed to a lease sale. Otherwise, BOEM may conclude the evaluation without advancing to a lease.
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Potential Lease Sale: Should BOEM advance to a lease sale, this would be the first offshore mineral lease auction in U.S. federal waters in over three decades. The exact schedule would depend on the outcome of environmental reviews, legal consultations, and stakeholder agreements.
The launch of the offshore mineral lease review near American Samoa represents a significant policy shift in U.S. resource strategy, balancing the pursuit of critical minerals for economic and security objectives against the imperative of environmental protection and community well-being. The outcome of the 30-day public comment period and subsequent BOEM evaluation will determine whether this initiative advances, setting a precedent for future seabed resource considerations in U.S. waters.
