Seabed Mining Permits: Norway, Cook Islands and the ISA — 2026-09-02
The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has set November 19, 2026, as the date for America’s first commercial deep-sea mining lease sale, targeting federal seafloor near American Samoa. This move intensifies pressure on the International Seabed Authority (ISA), which recently failed to finalize its mining code during its 31st session in Kingston, while the moratorium coalition continues to expand with new African supporters.
Seabed Mining Permits: Norway, Cook Islands and the ISA — 2026-09-02
Top developments
US Sets Date for First Commercial Deep-Sea Mining Lease
On September 1, 2026, it was confirmed that the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) plans to auction the first commercial deep-sea mining lease on November 19, 2026. The target area is the uncharted seafloor near American Samoa, a region currently being mapped by NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer. This unilateral action by the US, which has not ratified UNCLOS, bypasses the International Seabed Authority (ISA) framework and directly challenges the moratorium coalition led by nations like France and Costa Rica. It raises significant legal questions regarding the "common heritage of mankind" principle, as the US asserts sovereignty over these resources under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act.
African Nations Join Moratorium Coalition
In late August 2026, three additional African countries—Mauritius, Mozambique, and the Republic of Congo—officially joined the call for a precautionary pause on deep-seabed mining. This brings the total number of African nations supporting a moratorium to six, significantly strengthening the political bloc opposing commercial extraction in the ISA’s jurisdiction. The expansion of this coalition in Africa is critical for the upcoming ISA council sessions, as African states hold substantial voting power and influence within the Authority. Their stance reinforces the demand that no mining begin until environmental impacts are fully understood and regulated.
ISA Fails to Finalize Mining Code at 31st Session
The International Seabed Authority concluded its 31st session in Kingston without finalizing the mining code necessary to regulate commercial extraction. Instead, the ISA extended a controversial exploration contract for a company linked to unlawful mining activities, drawing sharp criticism from NGOs like Greenpeace. The failure to agree on regulations leaves a vacuum that countries like the US are exploiting with unilateral licensing moves. For stakeholders in Norway and the Cook Islands, this delay means national waters regulations may proceed independently of international standards, creating a fragmented global regulatory landscape.
Local view
Norway: Local media and scientific bodies continue to criticize the Norwegian government's plans for seabed mineral exploration. A recent article from Børsen highlights how oil companies are expanding exploration further north, described by critics as a "dirty trick" to bypass regulatory hurdles. Meanwhile, SINTEF has reiterated its advice against issuing licenses in certain areas due to insufficient knowledge bases, reflecting ongoing tension between industrial ambitions and environmental caution in Norway.
Context & numbers
- Moratorium Support: 45 countries now support a moratorium or precautionary pause on deep-sea mining.
- ISA Contracts: The ISA has approved 31 exploration contracts covering vast areas of the international seabed.
- Cook Islands Licenses: The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority has granted three exploration licenses for polymetallic nodules within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), including to Moana Minerals Limited and Cobalt (CIC) Limited.
On the radar
- November 19, 2026: Date for the US BOEM's first deep-sea mining lease auction near American Samoa.
- Norwegian Resource Assessment: The Norwegian Directorate of Mining (Sokkeldirektoratet) is expected to present an updated assessment of mineral resources in Norwegian deep-sea areas this autumn, based on data collected since 2022.
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