The Marine Minerals Administration presented preliminary terms for a potential mineral block sale in federal Pacific waters.
The United States Marine Minerals Administration, known by its acronym MMA, advanced the process for a potential critical minerals lease sale on the outer continental shelf of American Samoa.
The agency published a Proposed Lease Notice describing the areas under consideration, conditions applicable to future lessees, and requirements that must be met before a potential auction.
With this measure, the U.S. Government seeks to expand access to seabed mineral resources used in batteries, defense systems, electronic equipment, and energy technologies.
MMA Establishes Preliminary Conditions
The notice allows companies and other interested parties to review the proposed terms before the Administration decides whether to conduct the sale.
Among the proposed conditions is that the lessee make reasonable efforts to hire American Samoa citizens, utilize territory-based companies, and employ the Port of Pago Pago as a logistics base.
Likewise, the document identifies blocks that could be part of the process and incorporates technical information for potential participants.
Publication of the notice does not imply that the auction will be held. Nor does it authorize exploration, collection, or extraction activities for deep-sea minerals.
Critical Minerals and Supply Security
MMA Acting Director Matt Giacona noted that critical minerals represent a strategic asset in international competition.
According to the official, China’s dominant position in the supply of various raw materials generates risks for the energy, manufacturing, and U.S. defense sectors.
The proposal is part of a strategy aimed at reducing dependence on foreign sources and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Resources associated with ocean floor deposits may include nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese. These materials have applications in energy storage, advanced electronics, industrial manufacturing, and military systems.
Process Focuses off American Samoa
The area under study is located in deep waters of the U.S. outer continental shelf near American Samoa.
The process began with a request for information and interest that evaluated approximately 18.1 million acres northeast of the Manu’a Islands and Rose Atoll.
Subsequently, the planning area was expanded to approximately 33 million acres, equivalent to about 134,000 square kilometers. That extension comprises more than 6,000 complete and partial blocks, although a potential sale would include only a selection of them.
The region consists primarily of abyssal plains and seamounts. Its depths range approximately between 1,400 and 6,000 meters.
Agency Evaluates Two Potential Leases
As part of the procedure, MMA completed an Environmental Assessment on the potential effects of issuing two commercial leases in federal waters off the territory.
The analysis constitutes a prior administrative stage and does not constitute authorization to begin mining operations.
Additionally, the agency published 16 Official Protraction Diagrams. These plans legally delimit subdivisions of the outer continental shelf and allow identification of areas that could be offered.
The diagrams employ the Universal Transverse Mercator projection and organize the seabed through cadastral grids used in federal leasing processes.
Next Steps Before Potential Auction
The Notice of Availability of the proposed document is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026.
Following that publication, the Administration may continue with pre-sale requirements and review observations from industry, territorial authorities, environmental organizations, and other interested parties.
Should it decide that the auction must be conducted, MMA will be required to publish a final Lease Notice at least 30 days in advance.
This process is considered the first of its kind in more than three decades within the U.S. federal offshore minerals leasing system.
Project Generates Environmental and Territorial Debate
The proposal has also raised concerns about its potential effects on marine ecosystems, fishing activities, and American Samoa communities.
Environmental organizations warn that deep-sea mining could alter poorly studied habitats and affect species that depend on the region’s ocean ecosystems.
On the other hand, proponents of subsea minerals development maintain that these resources can contribute to the economic and technological security of the United States.
The final decision will depend on regulatory, environmental, and technical evaluations developed during subsequent stages of the process.
Source: BOEM
Photo: Shutterstock
