US Proposes 28 Million-Hectare Mariana Seabed Leases as Guam and Northern Marianas Push Back
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 24
US Proposes 28 Million-Hectare Mariana Seabed Leases as Guam and Northern Marianas Push Back
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 24
Summary
28 million hectares of seabed off Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have been put up for proposed US deep-sea mining leases, opening exploration for polymetallic nodules used in batteries, electronics and defense.
The Interior Department’s Marine Mineral Administration framed the move as part of a strategic push for critical ocean minerals, with the Trump administration competing with China for supply and control.
Guam and Northern Marianas officials said they oppose or will scrutinize the plan, warning that mining and even exploration could outpace scientific baseline studies and threaten marine ecosystems.
The proposal follows a separate 12.4 million-hectare American Samoa leasing process launched weeks ago, where contracts are planned for November despite territorial opposition.
Legal pressure is already building: environmental groups sued on Aug. 19 to stop the American Samoa auction, arguing federal agencies failed to assess damage to seafloor life, marine mammals and food webs.