NOAA Accelerates Deep-Seabed Mining Licenses for Critical Minerals Under E.O. 14285

Following E.O. 14285 (April 2025), NOAA has received over 10 applications for seabed exploration licenses in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone and other areas beyond national jurisdiction, certifying five as fully compliant with the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act as of mid-2026. The initiative targets polymetallic nodules rich in cobalt, manganese, and nickel to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign-controlled critical mineral supply chains, though overlapping ISA-designated areas and the absence of U.S. UNCLOS membership create unresolved legal and diplomatic risks.