Pacific islands alarmed by Trump-backed push for deep-sea mining

SYDNEY, Aug 6: A Pacific island leader says there were "no consultations" before the US announced swathes of nearby ocean could be auctioned for deep-sea mining exploration, telling AFP the industry faced strong opposition among his people.

Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Governor David Apatang said the idea had caused great unease across the tropical island chain of some 40,000 people.

The United States alarmed its tropical island territories earlier this year, detailing plans to carve up parts of the Pacific Ocean for mining exploration.

Mining companies see enormous wealth in mineral deposits scattered across the seabed, but the fledgling industry has for years been held back by environmental concerns.

An expanse of US maritime territory near American Samoa in the South Pacific could be auctioned as soon as November, according to official documents.

Separate tracts of ocean surrounding Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands in the Western Pacific are also under consideration.

"Some concerns include disruption to food security for the people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, who rely on the ocean resources for their survival," Apatang told AFP.

Washington initially proposed to explore a 140,000 square kilometre (50,000 square mile) block about 200 kilometres east of territory capital Saipan.

But Apatang said he was caught by surprise when the US announced in March that a similar-sized block to Saipan's west could be leased as well.

"There have been no consultations with the people of the Northern Mariana Islands," he said.

Deep-sea mining companies want to scour the ocean's abyssal plains for mineral deposits and polymetallic nodules laden with nickel, copper and cobalt.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in 2025 aimed at "unleashing" these seabed resources, stressing the demand in everything from renewable energy to military applications.

Critics fear deep-sea mining will cause irreversible damage, smothering marine life in plumes of waste and disrupting oceanic migrations with the thrum of heavy machinery.�" AFP