Canadian firm The Metals Company (TMC) announced on Tuesday that it has submitted application to the United States for deep-sea mineral mining in international waters. This marks the first such application, supported by President Donald Trump’s push for the industry.
The minerals targeted by TMC are crucial for manufacturing electric vehicle batteries and electric cables, as reported by AFP. However, environmental groups have expressed concerns about the potential ecological impact of extracting these resources.
TMC USA, a subsidiary of The Metals Company, is seeking a license to mine polymetallic nodules, multi-metal deposits found in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean.
Gerard Barron, chairman and CEO of The Metals Company, called the move “a major step forward for America’s mineral independence and industrial resurgence.”
The company initially planned to submit its application to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) but changed course due to delays in the ISA’s development of mining regulations. Shortly after, President Trump issued an executive order to speed up the review process for mining permits, including those for international waters.
Environmental groups, including Greenpeace, have criticized the application, arguing that deep-sea mining could harm fragile ecosystems.
