US begins talks with Cook Islands on seabed mining, gears up to compete with China

By Mar-Vic Cagurangan

The U.S. has begun discussions with the Cook Islands on the exploration of seabed minerals within its waters, in a bid to catch up with China, which has previously clinched a similar deal with the island nation.

“Together, we commit to advancing responsible development of seabed minerals and global scientific understanding of the deep ocean, and to setting a high standard for transparent seabed resources management,” the U.S. and the Cook Islands said in a joint statement.

“This collaboration marks a new chapter in the partnership between our countries since we established diplomatic relations in 2023,” they said.

The agreement was made on Aug. 4, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the Cook Islands as a sovereign state in free association with New Zealand.

“Today, we affirm our commitment to scientific advancement, mutual prosperity, economic self-reliance and environmental stewardship as we partner to map and research the Cook Islands’ seabed mineral resources,” the statement reads.

The Cook Islands is currently in the five-year exploration phase for mining of polymetallic nodules, with the potential to become the first nation to mine the ocean floor commercially.

Three companies—Moana Minerals, Transocean Ltd. and CIC Ltd., currently

hold exploration licenses within the tiny nation’s exclusive economic zone.

The Polynesian nation's seabed contains valuable minerals crucial for renewable energy technologies, such as nickel and cobalt.

“The Cook Islands is a leader in the exploration of its exclusive economic zone mineral resources and recognizes the significant potential of these resources to support long-term growth and prosperity for its people,” the joint statement said.

The two governments agreed that the partnership, which combines the Cook Islands’ vast maritime natural resources with the U.S.’s “expertise in oceanic research and technology,” put them in a strategic position to ensure that the exploration of mineral resources is "guided by rigorous gold standard science and best practices.”

“The United States of America and the Cook Islands are proud U.S.-linked firms sit at the forefront of deep seabed mineral research and exploration in the Cook Islands, which reflects strong and shared U.S.-Cook Islands seabed minerals interests,” the statement said.

The Cook Islands is charging ahead with its seabed mining ambitions despite the opposition's call for a national pause on the plan.

Last month, opposition leader Tina Browne warned that the country is risking its oceanic heritage and identity by opening its seabed for mining, which could have irreversible consequences.

The U.S. has rekindled its interest in deep-sea mining, targeting critical minerals and power resources, which President Donald Trump said would secure America’s energy future and cut its dependence on China.

Trump’s executive order issued on April 24 seeks to access potentially vast resources in seabed polymetallic nodules, other subsea geologic structures, and coastal deposits containing strategic minerals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, titanium and rare earth elements” in international waters.

“Our nation must take immediate action to accelerate the responsible development of seabed mineral resources, quantify the nation’s endowment of seabed minerals, reinvigorate American leadership in associated extraction and processing technologies, and ensure secure supply chains for our defense, infrastructure and energy sectors,” reads the executive order.

China, however, is ahead of the game.

Earlier this year, the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority entered into a memorandum of understanding with China’s Ministry of Natural Resources on “the sustainable exploration, management, and utilization of seabed mineral resources.”

“The partnership will drive cooperation across scientific research, technology transfer, environmental impact assessments, and capacity building to support knowledge-sharing and best practices in the responsible development of seabed minerals,” according to the Cook Islands’ agency responsible for regulating all seabed mineral activities within the Cook Islands' jurisdiction. 

China has similar partnerships with Kiribati and Nauru.

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