The Trump administration plans to fast-track permits for deep-sea mining, despite pushback from conservation groups that warn that too little is known about delicate ecosystems deep underwater.
The Interior Department on Wednesday announced that, starting immediately, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will begin identifying possible areas for underwater exploration and production of critical minerals, including nickel, cobalt and lithium.
BOEM, an agency of the Interior Department, is tasked with managing development of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf energy, mineral and geological resources, which includes all submerged lands in coastal waters that are under U.S. jurisdiction.
Interior announced that BOEM will sidestep formal requests for information to save months of permitting and offer “favorable lease terms,” including lower minimum bids and waivers for some rental fees.
