NOAA Approves The Metals Company’s Exploration Licenses for Polymetallic Nodules in Clarion-Clipperton Zone
On March 9, 2026, NOAA confirmed The Metals Company USA LLC's application for exploration licenses for polymetallic nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. This follows Executive Order 14285 by Donald Trump, which opened U.S. exploitation of the seabed beyond national jurisdiction. The extraction of critical minerals is crucial for advanced technologies and national security. However, the lack of a ratified mining code from the International Seabed Authority raises concerns over environmental impacts and governance.
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NOAA has approved The Metals Company USA LLC's applications for exploration licenses for polymetallic nodules in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, aligning with the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. Trump's Executive Order 14285 allows U.S. companies to exploit seabeds beyond national jurisdiction.
The critical minerals sourced from these nodules are vital for technology and national defense, with the potential for extraction becoming more competitive. The International Seabed Authority has not ratified mining regulations, prompting environmental concerns and geopolitical tensions, particularly with China, which is heavily invested in seabed resource extraction.
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