The Department of the Interior has announced the start of a process to evaluate a potential mineral lease sale in offshore waters near American Samoa. This initiative aligns with President Donald J. Trump's strategic focus on domestic critical mineral development and marks the first such action by the Interior in over three decades.
"Critical minerals are fundamental to strengthening our nation's resilience and safeguarding our national interests," stated Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. He emphasized that accessing deep-sea mineral resources responsibly supports both American economic growth and national security.
The Outer Continental Shelf, managed by the Interior, spans approximately 3.2 billion acres, an area larger than the entire U.S. landmass. President Trump’s Executive Order "Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources" highlights seabed mineral development as crucial for U.S. national security, especially given increased activities by China and Russia in the Pacific region and America's reliance on foreign critical minerals.
On April 8, 2025, Impossible Metals, a U.S.-based company, submitted a formal request for a lease sale to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). In response, BOEM will undertake a multi-step evaluation process based on science, public engagement, and environmental stewardship.
The initial step involves publishing a request for information and interest in the Federal Register. This notice aims to gather input from Indigenous Island communities, ocean users, industry stakeholders, government agencies, and the public. The feedback will contribute to BOEM's assessment of geologic conditions and potential environmental and cultural impacts while considering multiple uses of the area like navigation and fishing.
BOEM is committed to ensuring full compliance with all applicable laws including the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Historic Preservation Act.
For further details on BOEM’s marine mineral program visit https://www.boem.gov/marine-minerals.
