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Remotely operated vehicle traverses over an extensive field of ferromanganese nodules that form the bulk of the hard seafloor substrate. Credit: NOAA.
Deep seabed mining is the extraction of critical mineral resources from the ocean floor. The deep seabed has valuable resources like manganese, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements. Critical minerals are used in everything from defense systems and batteries to smartphones and medical devices. Access to these minerals is a key factor in the health and resilience of U.S. supply chains.
Before any deep seabed mining activity can begin, U.S. companies must obtain appropriate licenses and permits. The Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA) charged NOAA with the responsibility for issuing to U.S. companies licenses for exploration and permits for commercial recovery of polymetallic nodules containing manganese, nickel, cobalt, and copper from the deep seabed in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
For areas within the U.S. outer continental shelf, the primary statutory and regulatory authority for offshore mining activities is the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which is administered by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, within the Department of the Interior.
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) regulates deep seabed mining in areas beyond national jurisdiction for countries that are parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). As a non-party to UNCLOS, the U.S. may issue licenses and permits to U.S. companies in areas beyond national jurisdiction under DSHMRA, provided all statutory and regulatory requirements are met.
On April 24, 2025, the President signed an Executive Order establishing policies to advance U.S. leadership in seabed mineral exploration and responsible commercial recovery, with a focus on both resource extraction and environmental conservation.
For DSHMRA applications regarding exploration licenses or commercial recovery permits by U.S.-based companies, NOAA’s National Ocean Service provides the review and processing of these applications, with final approval by the NOAA Administrator.
NOAA is committed to the expeditious review of DSHMRA applications for exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits. As described in DSHMRA and its implementing regulations, there are multiple steps before an exploration license or commercial recovery permit is issued. DSHMRA provides an opportunity for public comment at certain points in the regulatory process. NOAA will announce opportunities for public comments through the Federal Register Notice process.
Existing DSHMRA Exploration Licenses
Lockheed Martin Corporation holds two exploration licenses (USA-1 and USA-4) issued in 1984.
Existing DSHMRA Commercial Recovery Permits
N/A
Full Compliance Applications
When available, information about full compliance applications will be added.
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