US prepares to auction leases for seabed mining blocks in federal waters
The U.S. government is set to auction leases for deep-sea mining in federal waters, marking a significant move towards commercial-scale operations. This initiative has sparked a debate, with opponents warning of potential environmental damage and supporters highlighting the need for critical minerals. The first lease sale is scheduled for August 2026 in American Samoa, followed by others in the Northern Mariana Islands and Alaska.
- ▪The U.S. plans to auction off seabed blocks for deep-sea mining in federal waters.
- ▪The first lease sale is planned for August 2026 in American Samoa.
- ▪Opponents of deep-sea mining express concerns about environmental risks.
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| Original publisher | Mongabay — News |
| Canonical URL | https://news.mongabay.com/2026/05/us-prepares-to-auction-leases-for-seabed-mining-blocks-in-federal-waters/ |
| Publication time | 27 May 2026 20:29:27 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-27T20:38:04.826Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-27T20:38:04.826Z |
| Headline source | Publisher (no WeSearch rewrite) |
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| Summary source text | contentText |
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| Publisher visit | Yes — open original |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
The U.S. government is preparing to conduct lease sales to auction off blocks of the seabed for deep-sea mining in federal waters of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Alaska.If the lease sales proceed, they would mark a major step toward commercial-scale deep-sea mining, making the U.S. one of the first players in the industry.While many oppose these plans to start mining the deep sea and say the government’s timeline is rushed, others are more supportive.A spokesperson for the U.S.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Mongabay — News.
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