The Trump administration has signed an executive order to fast-track deep-sea mining within U.S. and international waters. This move could enable private companies to access billions of tons of potato-sized rocks known as polymetallic nodules, which are rich in strategically important minerals.
International Reactions
China’s foreign ministry condemned the decision, labeling it "illegal" and asserting that it violates international law, thereby harming the collective interests of the international community.
Industry Perspectives
Gerard Barron, CEO of seabed miner The Metals Company (TMC), views Washington’s support for deep-sea mining as a game-changer for his company. He stated, "It will make investors sit up and take notice." TMC plans to submit an environmental impact statement to regulators before commencing commercial-scale mining operations later this year. Barron expressed confidence in receiving approval from authorities after submitting the environmental assessment report.
Broader Implications
Maria Jose (Majo) Valverde, a biodiversity and sustainability analyst at Eurasia Group, believes this order will have significant implications beyond climate change policy. She warned that countries like China may struggle with control over key resources without internationally regulated treaties or agreements. Valverde emphasized that the executive order relies solely on national laws passed unilaterally, rather than seeking international cooperation.
"This is not just about climate change policy; it has broader implications for global governance," she stated. "If we don’t have internationally regulated treaties or agreements on how these resources are managed, countries like China may struggle with control over key resources."
Regulatory Landscape
The International Seabed Authority (ISA), which regulates deep-sea mining under United Nations treaty law agreed upon by 168 nations in 1982 as part of the Law of the Sea Convention (LOS), has been slow to implement rules governing such activities. The ISA recently announced plans for new regulations, but these will not be implemented until at least 2026.
Valverde noted that while some countries are advancing their own national regulations, others are hesitant due to concerns about potential environmental damage.
"There is no clear consensus among nations on how these activities should be governed," she said.
Environmental Considerations
In contrast, TMC asserts that its operations would not harm marine life, as its equipment would only disturb sediment around nodule deposits during collection. The company claims it will use environmentally friendly methods, such as remotely operated vehicles, instead of dredging machines, which can cause significant damage to seafloor habitats. Barron stated, "We’re confident our technology can operate safely without causing any harm."
Barron also emphasized TMC’s commitment to transparency, stating, "We’ve been working closely with local communities near our planned sites in Papua New Guinea, where we plan initial extraction operations next year. We’re committed not only to ensuring safe operation but also to providing local benefits through jobs, training, education, infrastructure development, and healthcare services."
Scientific Oversight
TMC plans to establish an independent scientific advisory board comprising experts from various fields, including marine biology, ecology, geology, chemistry, physics, engineering, economics, and social sciences. This board will provide ongoing advice throughout all phases of project development, operation, closure, monitoring, and restoration. Barron explained, "Our goal is not just to extract valuable minerals but to do so responsibly, protecting both people, the planet, and profits."
Market Demand
Despite concerns raised by critics, TMC remains optimistic about future prospects, citing growing global demand, particularly from Asia, where many countries rely heavily on imports due to a lack of domestic production capacity. Barron noted, "Demand continues strong, driven mainly by growth in emerging markets, especially in Asia."
Polymetallic nodules are expected to be available for mining by 2025, according to the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
I’m Mark W. Lamplugh Jr., a visionary Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, and best-selling Author with over 25 years of experience driving significant revenue growth and optimizing ROI across the healthcare, wellness, and media industries. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently transformed underperforming operations into thriving ventures by building top-tier marketing organizations, implementing data-driven strategies, and leading transformational change. My empathetic, collaborative, and adaptable leadership style has allowed me to cultivate inclusive cultures of innovation, develop and retain top talent, and forge strong partnerships that fuel organizational success.
Adept in executive leadership, strategic business planning, and brand and marketing strategy, I have a proven track record of boosting annual revenues—achieving up to $1.3B in oncology over three years and generating $360M in mental health initiatives. My approach combines strategic vision with hands-on execution, as evidenced by my success in launching innovative facilities, expanding services for addiction and mental health care, and enhancing organizational brand visibility. As author of “The AI Marketing Playbook,” I contribute thought leadership on the integration of artificial intelligence in marketing, a role that showcases my commitment to staying at the forefront of industry innovation.
I also bring my insights and expertise to a broad audience as the host of cable tv & global streaming of “Street Level Marketing Show,” while my writing has been featured in major publications such as Entrepreneur, Business.com, The Startup, and Kivo Daily. Whether I’m implementing targeted digital marketing campaigns that engage over a million individuals monthly or overseeing multi-million dollar budgets to maximize return on investment, I approach every challenge with a combination of strategic planning, creative problem-solving, and unwavering dedication. Above all, I am passionate about expanding access to high-quality addiction and mental health care through innovative solutions that drive both patient outcomes and organizational growth.
Mark serves on the board of One World for Life, National Fire Heritage Center, and the Institute for Responder Wellness.
Mark (https://marklamplugh.com) is one of the top marketing executives in the United States and has revolutionized how companies reach potential clients thru influence, SEO, social, PR, and traditional marketing. His expertise in Marketing, Social Media, Digital Marketing, and Public Relations has generated millions of dollars in revenue for several national companies. Mark documents many of his techniques in his book “Beginners Guide to Social & Digital Media.” and “Marketing Playbook for Social Media,” which was named the top 100 social media marketing books of all time by Book Authority. He’s also a professional advocate for the behavioral and mental health of firefighters and other first responders. Marks articles have been published in Better Marketing, Startup Magazine, Social Media Today, Kivo Daily, Biz Catalyst 360, Fire Engineering, Firehouse Magazine, and several others.
One of his companies, niches, are marketing products and services to the public safety industry and their employees, specifically mental & behavioral health services. He can be reached for comment at ceo@influencemediasolutions.com
23,000 #1 Connections, 40,000,000 US B2B Contacts and 300,000,000 B2b/B2C email contacts as well as 1,000,000+ monthly social media reach. https://marklamplugh.com
