The Department of the Interior unveiled a new factsheet by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) today, mapping prospective locations of critical minerals on the seafloor, showcasing a significant opportunity for the United States to procure essential minerals from its underwater territories.
This initiative aims to bolster the nation’s economy and security by tapping into its vast natural resources beneath the ocean.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum emphasized the relevance of this survey for advancing the Trump administration’s agenda of unlocking America’s natural wealth.
He stated, “By enhancing our understanding of the mineral wealth beneath our oceans, we are fostering American Energy Independence, supporting the growth of vital industries, and ensuring that our nation remain competitive on the global stage.”
The USGS spearheads the national assessment of mineral resources located offshore, especially within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, which encompasses an area larger than the entire land surface of the country.
Acting USGS Director Sarah Ryker highlighted the agency’s efforts in extending scientific knowledge regarding the locations of critical minerals, pointing to mineral formations in the Escanaba Trough as a prime example of the potential that exists deep under the Pacific Ocean.
Ryker explained, “USGS research and mapping of seabed minerals and the environments in which they are found complements our work on land-based minerals and supply chains.”
Key findings from the newly released factsheet indicate that minerals can be discovered across all ocean basins, spanning both coastal and deep-sea regions.
Notably, underwater deposits are rich in nickel, cobalt, and manganese—elements essential for stainless steel, superalloys, and batteries.
The presence of rare earth elements, yttrium, platinum group elements, gold, and silver is also documented; all of which are deemed critical minerals in today’s technological landscape.
The USGS seabed minerals map included in the factsheet highlights prospective regions where these minerals are likely to occur, based on favorable geological and oceanographic conditions.
However, the report mentions that only a select few locations have sufficient data to ascertain whether they possess deposits viable for commercial extraction.
Consequently, USGS officials indicate that dedicated sampling and mapping efforts are necessary to bridge this data gap.
Amy Gartman, lead of the USGS Global Seabed Minerals Resources Project, stated, “USGS science predicts, and scientists work with partners to locate resources the nation needs.”
She also noted that USGS provides critical mineral, ecosystem, and hazard science around these potential resources, emphasizing the need to enhance the details of existing maps.
Since 1962, the USGS has engaged in comprehensive scientific research focused on the potential for deep-sea mining, including the identification of seabed mineral resources, methodologies for extraction, and evaluating environmental impacts.
In collaboration with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, both of which govern marine areas, these efforts underscore the importance of establishing sustainable practices in mineral extraction.
On land, the efforts to map the U.S. mineral resources previously lagged behind other nations, prompting the initiation of the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative in President Trump’s first term in 2018.
As a result, the USGS has successfully mapped 30% of land-based critical mineral resources while also focusing on seabed exploration.
Current initiatives by the USGS include assessing global supply chain vulnerabilities, domestic industry mineral demands, and the potential for future production capacity.
Collaborations extend to state geological surveys, private enterprises, universities, and federal agencies, aimed at identifying and mapping undiscovered mineral resources both underground and from old mining and energy waste sites.
image source from：https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-highlights-critical-mineral-prospects-seafloor
