Trump administration offers first deep-sea mining leases near American Samoa

On October 19, 2026, the U.S. Marine Minerals Administration announced a historic November 19, 2026 auction offering nearly 32 million acres off American Samoa for deep-sea mining leases. Designed to secure critical mineral supplies like cobalt and nickel while reducing reliance on China, the move marks the first federal offshore mining lease sale. Environmental groups including Earthjustice and Oceana oppose the plan, warning of habitat destruction and filing federal lawsuits.

Details of the American Samoa lease sale

• ▪The ocean lease tracts off American Samoa offered in the November 19, 2026 auction target potato-sized polymetallic nodules on the seafloor that contain critical minerals including cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, and nickel
• ▪On October 19, 2026, the Marine Minerals Administration announced a November 19, 2026 lease sale offering nearly 32 million acres across two offshore areas near American Samoa for deep-sea mining
• ▪The November 19, 2026 lease auction marks the first time the United States government has offered offshore leases for deep-sea seabed mining
• ▪Winning auction bidders in the November 19, 2026 lease sale off American Samoa will receive rights to conduct preliminary activities like mapping, but will not automatically gain permission to start commercial mining operations

Statements from the Marine Minerals Administration

• ▪Acting Marine Minerals Administration Director Mike Olsen stated that critical minerals represent vital strategic assets necessary for domestic supply chains, national defense, and energy efficiency goals
• ▪Marine Minerals Administration Director Mike Olsen stated that the Marine Minerals Administration must balance national security goals with environmental stewardship and engagement with American Samoa leadership

Environmental opposition and legal challenges

• ▪Oceana Defense Campaign Manager Julia Singer warned that the November 19 deep-sea mining lease sale off American Samoa opens ocean habitats to exploitation while ignoring opposition from scientists and local Pacific leaders
• ▪Environmental groups Faʻasao Amerika Samoa and Conservation Council for Hawaii, represented by Earthjustice, filed an August 2026 lawsuit in Hawaii federal court challenging BOEM's plan for an ocean mining lease sale off American Samoa
• ▪Lawsuits and opposition statements filed by environmental advocates argue that commercial deep-sea mining off American Samoa will pollute local ocean waters, destroy benthic habitats, and harm island communities