Trump Administration Proposes Deep-Sea Mining Leases Off American Samoa

Proposed Lease Sale Off American Samoa

The federal government is moving to open over 31 million acres of the Outer Continental Shelf near American Samoa to seabed mining. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has proposed two 20-year leases, each carrying a bid of $3 million. This initiative marks a significant escalation in the administration’s broader strategy to initiate deep-sea mining across U.S. territorial waters, including sites in the Pacific, off the coast of Alaska, and near Virginia.

The proposal comes with a 60-day comment period for the American Samoa government and the public. Earthjustice attorney J.V. Langkilde stated that the move attempts to bulldoze local outcry against a practice that has never been permitted in U.S. or international waters. Critics point to potential environmental impacts, including the destruction of seafloor habitats and threats to regional tuna stocks.

Indigenous Resistance and Environmental Concerns

Opposition to the mining plans is centered on the potential for irreversible ecological damage. Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka, founder of the American Samoa-based Finafinau foundation, said the administration’s actions ignore the clear stance of Pacific communities.

“Pacific people have made our position clear: we do not want deep sea mining in our waters. Yet the Trump administration is forcing this industry on our communities – imposing decisions that could affect us permanently without consulting us.”

Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka, founder of Finafinau foundation

The resistance is rooted in cultural and economic concerns. Solomon “Uncle Sol” Pili Kahoʻohalahala, a Native Hawaiian Elder, emphasized that the ocean is a living system that sustains indigenous people, rather than a resource for exploitation. Meanwhile, Nick Katkevich of the Center for Biological Diversity noted that the administration’s own environmental assessments acknowledge potential impacts on marine species, yet the push continues.

Speculative Ventures in International Waters

Parallel to the American Samoa lease sale, private interests are seeking to secure mining rights in the high seas. American Deep Sea Minerals, a startup led by San Francisco-based financial analyst Graham Goulet, has applied for a U.S. license to explore 25 million acres of international waters. This area, known as Eastern High Seas Pocket 3, is surrounded by the exclusive economic zones of French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, and Kiribati.

Coalter Lathrop, a lawyer specializing in international ocean law, characterized the startup as obviously not a mining company, it’s an idea, noting that its valuation would likely increase if a U.S. license were granted.

“This is comparable to a guy who got advance notice that a rural area is about to get a highway running through it, so he goes and buys some cheap land.”

Coalter Lathrop, lawyer

Goulet paid $100,000 to submit the application, which remains open for public comment until August 3. Goulet stated that his company’s exploration program is being developed with experts in marine geology, offshore engineering, and environmental science.

Divergent Views on National Security and Resources

The push for domestic deep-sea mining has found support among some officials who view it as a path to energy independence. Republican state Rep. Elijah Pierick argued that relying on foreign suppliers for critical minerals like nickel and cobalt presents a risk. If national security necessitates having American resources come from areas that America stewards, that’s a value that we should hold while also holding the value of culture and the environment, Pierick said.

Conversely, environmental advocates argue that the damage caused by these operations would be severe. One report cited by Earthjustice suggests that deep-sea mining could result in $500 billion of lost value due to biodiversity loss and habitat destruction, potentially exceeding the impact of land-based mining by a factor of 25.

As the November 19, 2026, lease sale date approaches, the administration faces a 60-day window for local feedback. The success of the lease sale will likely be tested by the ongoing legal and political opposition from territorial governments and international conservation groups who continue to challenge the administration’s authority to authorize mining in these regions.