Bureau of Ocean Energy Management seeks to expedite deep-sea mining process

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is proposing to revise its regulations governing deep-sea mining to push exploration and development of critical minerals essential to national security, economic competitiveness and technological progress.

The bureau said the proposed rule updates align with President Trump's executive orders to "unleash America’s potential to explore and develop OCS critical mineral resources.

“America cannot afford to sit on the sidelines while the world races to secure critical mineral supply chains,” said BOEM's acting director, Matt Giacona.

He said the agency is seeking to modernize outdated regulations to meet the nation's urgent needs.

"Offshore critical minerals are foundational to our defense systems, advanced manufacturing and energy technologies," he said. "A faster and more accountable regulatory framework ensures we develop these resources responsibly—and on the American people’s terms.” 

BOEM noted that the limited activity does not match the potential for commercial exploration, development and production of U.S. OCS minerals.

The Department of the Interior has conducted only one OCS mineral lease sale for commodities beyond oil, gas, or sulfur—the Norton Sound Gold Sale in 1991, which received no bids and resulted in no leases issued.

Relatively few prospecting permits have been issued in the decades since.

BOEM’s proposed action aims to eliminate unnecessary provisions, revise others for clarity, and facilitate timely prospecting, leasing and operations.

In line with Executive Order 14285, the revisions aim to foster industry interest in OCS leasing and expedite the responsible recovery of seabed minerals.