President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 24, 2025, to speed up approval processes for deep-sea mining operations in both U.S. and international waters. This move aims to secure access to critical minerals while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers, particularly China. The order directs federal agencies including the Departments of Commerce and Interior to expedite permits under the 1980 Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. It also creates a fast-track process for mining in areas “beyond national jurisdiction” – a controversial step that bypasses the United Nations-backed International Seabed Authority (ISA). What’s at Stake The focus is extracting … Continue reading Deep Sea Mining Fast-Tracked: US Aims For Billions In Minerals Surpassing All Land Reserves