On June 25, 2025, the Department of the Interior announced significant policy changes aimed at accelerating the search and development of critical minerals found offshore.
These resources are essential for the country’s energy, technology, and national defense needs, and the measures complement efforts by the Trump administration to enhance American leadership in this vital sector.
Acting Assistant Secretary Adam Suess emphasized the department’s commitment to streamlining the approval processes while ensuring robust environmental protections.
“We’re making decisive moves to secure America’s leadership in critical minerals—resources that power our economy, protect our national security and support modern life,” stated Suess.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) are proactively updating policies governing every stage of offshore mineral development.
These updates aim to decrease delays, enhance coordination among stakeholders, and provide greater certainty for industry operations while maintaining rigorous environmental safeguards.
For early exploration and prospecting, BOEM will utilize existing streamlined environmental reviews where suitable.
Additionally, the duration of prospecting permits is set to increase from three to five years, affording companies ample time to conduct their work without unnecessary interruptions.
In terms of leasing processes, BOEM will initiate actions sooner by identifying potential development areas immediately, rather than waiting for a formal request for information or the formation of a joint task force with state and federal agencies.
This change is projected to save a timeline of anywhere from two months to over a year, expediting the overall process.
BOEM will also begin preparing environmental assessments during the lease sale phase while reserving more detailed environmental impact statements for subsequent planning stages if needed.
Such measures are anticipated to minimize delays and shorten public comment periods significantly.
To further incentivize participation in the leasing process, BOEM plans to offer favorable terms, which may include reduced minimum bids and waivers for certain rental fees.
Once a lease is granted, BOEM and BSEE will continue to streamline processes, evaluating offshore critical mineral projects for expedited permitting under the Department’s emergency procedures and other applicable legal frameworks.
They will fast-track approvals for mapping, testing, and site development by minimizing unnecessary paperwork and compliance requirements.
If requested by lessees, BOEM will consolidate exploration, testing, and mining plans into a unified review, thus accelerating decisions and reducing redundancy.
After commencement of development activities, oversight will transition to BSEE, which guarantees that all operations adhere to strict environmental, permitting, and safety standards, applying best practices throughout the development and production phases.
Moreover, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will partner with BOEM and BSEE to provide comprehensive scientific data regarding critical mineral resources, including potential environmental impacts and hazards related to seafloor development.
As part of its Global Seabed Mineral Resources project, USGS is currently studying mineral-rich regions within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and international waters, focusing on geological settings, the formation of mineral deposits, and interactions with deep-sea ecosystems.
Acting Assistant Secretary Scott Cameron highlighted the importance of USGS science in bolstering America’s strategic future.
“By expanding our understanding of where critical minerals are found—on land and the seafloor—we’re strengthening the foundation for national security, economic growth, and supply chain resilience,” Cameron stated.
Research endeavors, such as the Aleutian Archipelago expedition conducted in collaboration with BOEM and NOAA, are contributing to the development of detailed seafloor mineral maps that will guide responsible development efforts for the foreseeable future.
Through these concerted measures, the United States is strategically positioning itself to lead the responsible development of offshore critical minerals, thereby securing access to essential resources that fuel the economy, bolster national defense, and support emerging technologies.
Combining streamlined policies, advanced scientific research, and greater certainty for the industry, the Department of the Interior is paving the way for a more secure, resilient, and competitive future.
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