The U.S. government is now entangled in a heated debate following President Trump's recent executive order to expedite seabed mining, as the Metals Company formally applies for permits, drawing sharp criticism from various political factions.
Trump Pushes for Seabed Mining, Igniting Controversy
Trump Pushes for Seabed Mining, Igniting Controversy
Amid President Trump's executive order, the mining industry and legislators clash over environmental impacts and economic viability.
April 29, 2025, 4:26 p.m. ET
In the wake of President Trump's declaration to streamline seabed mining operations, the Metals Company, a prominent advocate for the controversial practice, has submitted its inaugural permit application to the U.S. government. Following the announcement, the company's CEO, Gerard Barron, described the executive order as a “starting gun” in the pursuit of valuable minerals like cobalt and nickel that are embedded in nodules on the ocean floor, over two miles beneath the surface in the Pacific Ocean.
During a tense congressional hearing with the natural resources committee, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle engaged in a spirited discussion regarding environmental implications of seabed mining versus its commercial potential. The current administration's plan includes issuing permits for mining activities not only within U.S. waters but also in international zones, provoking condemnation from other nations for its apparent disregard of the International Seabed Authority's regulations.
Historically, commercial-scale seabed mining remains untested, and critics within Congress, including Representative Jared Huffman from California, denounced the initiative as a “reckless cowboy manner” of proceeding. They cast doubt on the profitability of mining cobalt and nickel, especially as automotive manufacturers are increasingly shifting towards battery technologies that do not depend on these metals. The mixed reactions underscore a growing concern about balancing economic interests with sustainable practices in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
In the wake of President Trump's declaration to streamline seabed mining operations, the Metals Company, a prominent advocate for the controversial practice, has submitted its inaugural permit application to the U.S. government. Following the announcement, the company's CEO, Gerard Barron, described the executive order as a “starting gun” in the pursuit of valuable minerals like cobalt and nickel that are embedded in nodules on the ocean floor, over two miles beneath the surface in the Pacific Ocean.
During a tense congressional hearing with the natural resources committee, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle engaged in a spirited discussion regarding environmental implications of seabed mining versus its commercial potential. The current administration's plan includes issuing permits for mining activities not only within U.S. waters but also in international zones, provoking condemnation from other nations for its apparent disregard of the International Seabed Authority's regulations.
Historically, commercial-scale seabed mining remains untested, and critics within Congress, including Representative Jared Huffman from California, denounced the initiative as a “reckless cowboy manner” of proceeding. They cast doubt on the profitability of mining cobalt and nickel, especially as automotive manufacturers are increasingly shifting towards battery technologies that do not depend on these metals. The mixed reactions underscore a growing concern about balancing economic interests with sustainable practices in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
