The Trump administration Monday unveiled proposed revisions to regulations governing hard mineral resources on the outer continental shelf to advance deep-sea exploration and mining.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced plans to expedite production of minerals tied to national security, economic competitiveness and technological progress, aligning with President Donald Trump’s executive orders.
“America cannot afford to sit on the sidelines while the world races to secure critical mineral supply chains,” acting BOEM Director Matt Giacona said in a release.
Although the potential of commercial exploration, development, and production of minerals on the outer continental shelf is significant; activity has been limited; and the government has conducted only one mineral lease sale for commodities beyond oil, gas or sulfur — the Norton Sound Gold Sale in 1991, BOEM said.
