BOEM Advances OCS Critical Mineral Leasing Under EO 14285 Across Four U.S. Offshore Areas
Pursuant to Executive Order 14285, BOEM has initiated mineral lease-sale processes offshore American Samoa, CNMI, Virginia, and Alaska targeting polymetallic nodules, ferromanganese crusts, heavy mineral sands, and phosphorites. No leases have been issued to date; BOEM published a proposed rule on February 24, 2026 to revise mineral leasing regulations, and a Virginia RFI comment period closes July 23, 2026.
What changed
Congressional Research Service published a research or oversight record: Pursuant to Executive Order 14285, BOEM has initiated mineral lease-sale processes offshore American Samoa, CNMI, Virginia, and Alaska targeting polymetallic nodules, ferromanganese crusts, heavy mineral sands, and phosphorites. No leases have been issued to date; BOEM published a proposed rule on February 24, 2026 to revise mineral leasing regulations, and a Virginia RFI comment period closes July 23, 2026.
Procedural posture
This is background, analysis, or oversight material and does not itself impose a binding import, export, or sanctions obligation.
Affected scope
HS scope: 26, 25, 28; countries: US, RU; instruments: IEEPA, §232
Practical impact
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