US moves to unlock deep-sea minerals near American Samoa with massive auction

The United States government is set to hold its inaugural auction for deep-sea mineral leases off the coast of American Samoa on November 19, according to President Donald Trump's administration. The auction covers approximately 31 million acres of seabed in two areas, despite concerns from environmental groups and local communities.

Although the proposed mining zones were previously off-limits in 2024, the auction areas are situated beyond those boundaries in waters under American federal jurisdiction. Acting MMA Director Mike Olsen acknowledged the cultural, economic, and environmental significance of the ocean floor surrounding American Samoa, stating that the administration aims to balance national security and energy readiness with rigorous environmental stewardship.

The announcement of the auction follows President Trump's April 2025 executive order, which aimed to expedite deep-sea science and technology following a request from US firm Impossible Metals. The Marine Minerals Administration (MMA) stated that winning bidders will not be granted immediate permission to mine. Instead, leases will initially permit activities such as mapping, with exploration, testing, and commercial production subject to a multi-stage regulatory approval process overseen by the MMA.

Critics, including the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), argue that deep-sea mining can pose significant risks to marine species, potentially driving them to extinction even before they are discovered. The NRDC also criticized the lack of public support for the proposal, noting that over 76,000 comments were submitted, with the majority opposing the plan.

Dr. Sabrina Suluai-Mahuka, founder of Finafinau, emphasized that deep-sea mining does not make economic sense, carries unproven environmental risks, and threatens a cultural relationship with the ocean that has been protected by previous generations. The MMA determined that deep-sea mining would not significantly impact the quality of the human environment, issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Commercial Leasing for Critical Minerals Offshore American Samoa Environmental Assessment on October 19, 2026.