US aims to issue deep-sea mining permits within months, Interior Secretary Burgum says

President Donald Trump's administration is on the verge of approving permits for deep-sea mining, according to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. The permits are expected to be issued within months as part of efforts to expand U.S. access to critical minerals used across the economy. Burgum stated this during a G20 energy minister meeting in Houston.

The administration has been actively supporting the nascent deep-sea mining industry since taking office last year, although operational permits have not yet been issued. Deep-sea mining could potentially provide large quantities of minerals needed for electric vehicles, weapons, and electronics. Burgum emphasized the importance of ensuring a diverse, secure, and affordable supply of critical minerals.

The U.S. currently faces a shortage of critical minerals, especially after China restricted exports over the past 18 months. To support domestic mining, the Interior Department's Marine Minerals Administration must approve any permits for mining U.S. territorial waters. The process would begin with a lease sale to grant private companies the exclusive right to mine a portion of the seabed, followed by a review of an operational permit considering various scientific data.

The Commerce Department is also aiming to issue international permits, which could potentially lead to a conflict with the United Nations-backed International Seabed Authority, which has been working on setting standards for over 25 years. Companies like The Metals Company and Impossible Metals have already applied for seabed mining permits.