Alaska’s Offshore Mining Revival & the Case for Federal Leasing in 2027
Alaska's century of nearshore gold and platinum mining underpins the case for a potential 2027 BOEM federal offshore lease sale.
Who Controls the Seabed? UN vs. U.S. Deep-Sea Mining Battle
An overview traces the bifurcated regulatory battle over deep-sea mining authority between the UN's ISA and the US's own legal pathway.
BOEM Potential Critical Minerals Sales and Bidder Qualifications
BOEM detailed its process for potential competitive lease sales of Outer Continental Shelf areas for critical seabed minerals.
Japan Tests Deep-Sea Rare Earth Mining to Reduce Dependence on China
Japan recovered rare earth-rich seabed sediment from 6,000 metres near Minami-Torishima, a world-first test using the vessel Chikyu.
NOAA to map critical mineral deposits in deep waters off American Samoa
NOAA will spend about $20 million to map over 30,000 square nautical miles of critical mineral deposits off American Samoa.
Japan launches deep sea rare earth test near Minamitori
Japan's drillship Chikyu began a month-long test to recover rare earth mud near Minamitori Island amid rising China supply risk.
BOEM Initiates Process for Potential Mineral Lease Sale Offshore Virginia
BOEM began the process for a potential Virginia offshore mineral lease sale after a request from Odyssey Marine Exploration.
Norway Freezes Arctic Seabed Mining Plans After Budget Deal
Norway froze all Arctic seabed mining licensing rounds through 2025 in a budget deal with the Socialist Left Party.
Cook Islands Extends Seabed Exploration to 2032
The Cook Islands extended its seabed minerals exploration programme, pushing any commercial nodule mining decision to at least 2032.
China’s Deep-Sea Research Mission in the Cook Islands Raises Regional Alarm
China's research vessel Da Yang Hao began a seabed survey off the Cook Islands, prompting New Zealand to cut nearly $16 million in aid.