Seabed Mining Permits: Norway, Cook Islands and the ISA — 2026-10-21
The United States has certified a new deep-sea mining license bid, expanding its claims in the Pacific to rival the area managed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). Meanwhile, Greenland’s parliament voted to extend its moratorium on deep-sea mining until 2029, reinforcing the growing global coalition for a precautionary pause.
Seabed Mining Permits: Norway, Cook Islands and the ISA — 2026-10-21
Top developments
U.S. License Certification Rivals ISA Jurisdiction
U.S. regulators have certified the application of American Metal, a deep-sea mining startup, to explore for critical minerals in the Pacific Ocean. This certification follows a broader trend where U.S. claims in the high seas now rival the total area set aside by the ISA, driven by the Trump administration’s 2025 executive order to develop the U.S. deep-sea mining sector. The move bypasses the ISA’s regulatory framework, creating a parallel legal regime that complicates international conservation efforts.
Greenland Extends Moratorium to 2029
The Parliament of Greenland voted to extend the prohibition on deep-sea mining in its waters until at least 2029. The autonomous Danish territory cited concerns over environmental consequences in high seas areas. The proposal allows the government to prolong the moratorium in two-year increments, signaling a long-term commitment to precautionary principles despite industrial pressure.
U.S. Treasury Recognizes Deep-Sea Mining in Policy
Deep Sea Minerals Corp. announced that U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent recognized deep-sea mining in a statement on October 14, 2026, regarding critical minerals policy. This official recognition highlights the strategic economic push by the U.S. government to secure mineral supply chains through seabed extraction, contrasting with the ISA’s stalled regulatory progress.
Local view
French media outlets are reporting on the intensifying "race to the abysses" driven by U.S. actions. Media24 notes that the U.S. is proceeding against the advice of France, effectively creating the first historical "gold rush" for the abysses by offering 127,500 km² of ocean floor for sale. This unilateral approach is seen as undermining the multilateral framework of the International Seabed Authority (AIFM in French).
Context & numbers
The U.S. is preparing to auction concessions totaling approximately 12.75 million hectares (127,500 km²) of ocean floor off American Samoa, a move that directly challenges the ISA’s authority over the "Area". This area is comparable in scale to the zones currently under exploration contracts managed by the ISA, which has issued 31 contracts covering over 1.3 million square kilometers.
On the radar
- ISA Council Session: The ISA Council recently closed its session in Kingston without finalizing a Mining Code, continuing a stalemate that has persisted since 2023.
- Scientific Impact Studies: New data from a sea test in the South China Sea indicates that seabed mining activities can cause a rapid shift in seabed microbes toward nitrogen loss, raising further ecological concerns.
- Norwegian Licensing: While no new licensing rounds were announced this week, the Norwegian government’s ongoing consultation on seabed minerals continues to face criticism from financial leaders who deem the extraction environmentally and financially unsound.
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