Trump Administration to Speed Up Permitting for Deep Sea Mining, Even Beyond U.S. Boundaries – ZME Science

Report on NOAA’s New Regulation for Deep Seabed Mining and Its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has finalized a rule aimed at accelerating the permit and license application process for deep seabed mining. This regulation enables companies to mine mineral-rich nodules beyond U.S. jurisdictional boundaries. The changes, published on January 21, 2026, revise the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA) of 1980.

Key Changes in the Regulation

1. Applicants can now apply simultaneously for exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits, streamlining the process.
2. NOAA is granted authority to issue exploration licenses and permits for seabed mining beyond U.S. national jurisdiction.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This regulatory update intersects with several SDGs, notably:

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – By facilitating access to critical minerals, the rule supports industrial innovation and infrastructure development.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – The regulation’s expedited process raises concerns about environmental oversight, highlighting the need for responsible resource management.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water – The deep seabed ecosystems are fragile and poorly understood; mining activities could disrupt marine biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The unilateral approach by the U.S. challenges international cooperation frameworks, particularly with the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

Details of the Regulation and Stakeholder Perspectives

NOAA’s Position

Neil Jacobs, NOAA Administrator, emphasized the importance of deep seabed mining for unlocking domestic sources of critical minerals essential for the United States’ economic resilience and technological advancement. The consolidation of permit applications is intended to modernize the law and support the “America First” agenda.

Environmental and Legal Concerns

• Critics argue that simultaneous permitting may lead to exploitation without adequate environmental impact assessments.
• Emily Jeffers, Senior Attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, warned that this approach could weaken environmental oversight.

International Implications

The updated rule asserts NOAA’s authority to regulate U.S. companies mining beyond national waters, a move expected to provoke controversy within the International Seabed Authority (ISA). The ISA governs deep sea mining in international waters under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, to which the U.S. is not a party but has generally adhered.

ISA’s Response

The ISA described the U.S. executive order and subsequent rule as surprising and potentially destabilizing to global ocean governance. The ISA emphasized the importance of multilateral negotiations and warned against unilateral actions that could undermine international cooperation.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability Considerations

Deep sea mining has never been conducted commercially, and scientific understanding of ocean floor ecosystems remains limited. Potential environmental consequences include:

• Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem functions dependent on mineral-rich nodules.
• Irreversible damage, as nodules require millions of years to reform.

Sabine Gollner, a deep-sea marine biologist, highlighted the long-term ecological impact of nodule removal, underscoring the need for sustainable practices aligned with SDG 14.

Conclusion

The NOAA regulation represents a significant shift in U.S. policy on deep seabed mining, with implications for economic development and environmental sustainability. While it supports SDG 9 by promoting access to critical minerals, it raises challenges for SDG 12 and SDG 14 due to potential environmental risks. Furthermore, the unilateral approach affects SDG 17 by complicating international partnerships essential for responsible ocean governance.

Summary of SDG Implications

• SDG 9: Encourages innovation and infrastructure through access to critical minerals.
• SDG 12: Necessitates responsible consumption and production to mitigate environmental risks.
• SDG 14: Protects marine ecosystems from irreversible damage.
• SDG 17: Promotes international cooperation and governance frameworks.

Source: Adapted from EOS Magazine and official NOAA publications.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • The article discusses deep seabed mining and its potential environmental impacts on marine ecosystems, directly relating to the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The acceleration of permitting processes for deep seabed mining supports industrial development and innovation in accessing critical minerals.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • The article touches on the extraction of critical minerals, which relates to sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The involvement of international bodies like the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the controversy over unilateral actions highlight the importance of global partnerships and governance.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water
   • Target 14.2: Sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts.
   • Target 14.3: Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, which could be indirectly affected by seabed mining activities.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge.
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Environmental Impact Assessments and Biodiversity Loss
   • The article implies the need for indicators measuring the impact of mining on marine biodiversity, such as the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem functions at mining sites.
   • Indicators could include the extent of habitat disturbance, species diversity indices, and recovery time of ecosystems post-mining.
2. Permitting and Regulatory Efficiency
   • Indicators related to the time taken for permit approvals and the number of permits issued could measure progress in streamlining industrial processes under SDG 9.
3. International Cooperation and Compliance
   • Indicators measuring adherence to international agreements and the level of cooperation with bodies like the ISA are implied, reflecting progress toward SDG 17 targets.
4. Resource Extraction and Use
   • Indicators on the quantity of critical minerals extracted and their sustainable use in industry could be used to measure progress under SDG 12.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: zmescience.com