White House plans to facilitate exploration of nickel and copper in international waters, surrounding UN review process and generating environmental controversies
The White House is considering an executive order to facilitate deep water mining, as reported by Reuters this Thursday (31.mar.2025). The measure would allow mining companies to avoid a UN review process (United Nations), with the objective of exploring critical minerals such as nickel and copper in international waters.
The initiative marks an effort by US President Donald Trump to boost the domestic production of these minerals essential to the global economy.
Isa (International Marine Funds), established by the United Nations Convention on Sea Law, has faced difficulties in establishing deep water mining standards due to divergences on acceptable environmental impacts.
The order under analysis would indicate that the US seek to exercise the right to extract minerals from the ocean fund, allowing companies to request authorization through the US Department of Trade Department of Oceanic and National Administration Mining Code.
Interested companies argue that deep water mining has smaller environmental impacts compared to terrestrial mining. However, environmental groups oppose, claiming risks to marine life. The measure alters the relationship of the United States with global institutions and can impact negotiations on the use of resources in international waters.
