Home
Finance
Travel
Shopping
Academic
Library
Home
Discover
Spaces
 
 
  • Streamlined Processes Cut Years to Weeks
  • First Offshore Mineral Lease in Decades Moves Forward
  • Environmental Groups Raise Concerns
Interior Dept. fast-tracks offshore mineral permits

The Interior Department announced sweeping policy changes Wednesday to accelerate offshore critical minerals development, streamlining permitting processes and extending exploration timeframes as the Trump administration pushes to reduce America's reliance on foreign mineral supplies.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement will implement the changes across all development stages to "reduce delays, improve coordination and provide greater certainty for industry," according to an Interior Department statement. The move represents the latest step in President Trump's strategy to challenge China's dominance in critical mineral supply chains.

User avatar
Curated by
kevinrequill
3 min read
Published
3,224
64
wmc.agh.edu.pl favicon
Mineral lease is the milestone in U.S. offshore mineral development
Mineral lease is the milestone in U.S. offshore mineral development
discoveryalert.com.au favicon
Discovery Alert
US Offshore Mineral Development Policies Streamlined
mining.com favicon
MINING.COM
US announces policy changes for offshore mineral development
US announces policy changes for offshore mineral development ...
mining.com
Streamlined Processes Cut Years to Weeks

Under the new policies, BOEM will extend early-stage exploration permits from three to five years and apply streamlined environmental reviews for preliminary activities12. The agency can now identify potential development areas independently, eliminating requirements to first issue formal information requests or form joint task forces with other agencies1.

The changes also minimize "unnecessary paperwork and compliance steps" for mapping, testing and site development activities2. Combined with emergency permitting procedures announced in May, approval timelines that once took years could now be completed in weeks3.

"The United States cannot afford to wait," Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said when announcing emergency procedures in May. "We are cutting through unnecessary delays to fast-track the development of American energy and critical minerals"3.

discoveryalert.com.au favicon
mining.com favicon
jpt.spe.org favicon
3 sources
First Offshore Mineral Lease in Decades Moves Forward

The policy changes build on momentum from the first offshore mineral lease evaluation in over 30 years, launched near American Samoa in May following a request from U.S.-based Impossible Metals Inc12. The company formally requested the lease sale on April 8, prompting BOEM to begin a multi-step evaluation process2.

Industry groups have welcomed the administration's approach. "This Executive Order marks a decisive and strategic step toward reshoring critical mineral production," said Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association3.

wmc.agh.edu.pl favicon
boem.gov favicon
noia.org favicon
3 sources
Environmental Groups Raise Concerns

Environmental organizations oppose the accelerated timeline, warning of potential ecosystem damage. "Scientists agree that deep-sea mining is a deeply dangerous endeavor for our ocean," said Jeff Watters of the Ocean Conservancy1. More than 30 countries have called for moratoriums on seabed mining1.

The policy changes implement Trump's April executive order "Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources," which directed agencies to expedite permits for accessing nickel, cobalt, copper and other minerals essential for technology and defense applications23.

The U.S. Outer Continental Shelf spans 3.2 billion acres and contains substantial untapped mineral reserves, according to federal officials4.

wtop.com favicon
whitehouse.gov favicon
csis.org favicon
4 sources
Related
How will the new offshore mineral permits impact US reliance on foreign minerals
What environmental risks are associated with the accelerated offshore mining policies
How might these policy changes influence deep-sea ecosystem health
Discover more
SEC fast-tracks Solana ETF approvals with July 31 deadline
SEC fast-tracks Solana ETF approvals with July 31 deadline
The Securities and Exchange Commission has instructed investment managers seeking to launch Solana-based exchange-traded funds to refile their applications by July 31, according to sources familiar with the matter. The directive marks an acceleration of the regulatory timeline that could bring approvals months ahead of the formal October 10 deadline. The move to compress the review process...
13
Trump administrations consider openings 2,600 square miles to new coal mining
Trump administrations consider openings 2,600 square miles to new coal mining
Federal officials took the first step Monday toward reopening vast areas of public lands in Montana and Wyoming to new coal sales, marking a sharp reversal from the Biden administration's climate-focused energy policies. The Interior Department announced it would consider selling leases for coal mining on more than 2,600 square miles of federal lands in the Powder River Basin, an area larger...
1,464
Wisconsin governor signs nuclear power expansion package
Wisconsin governor signs nuclear power expansion package
Governor Tony Evers signed bipartisan legislation Wednesday to advance nuclear power development in Wisconsin, culminating months of legislative work aimed at positioning the state as a leader in next-generation atomic energy. The package directs the state to conduct a comprehensive nuclear siting study and establishes a nuclear power summit planned for 2028. The trio of bills represents the...
713
Trump trade deals could wrap up by Labor Day, Bessent says
Trump trade deals could wrap up by Labor Day, Bessent says
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday that the Trump administration could complete its sweeping trade negotiation agenda by Labor Day, signaling a more flexible timeline for tariff deals as talks with nearly two dozen countries intensify ahead of a looming July deadline. Speaking on Fox Business, Bessent outlined plans to finalize agreements with major trading partners by September 1,...
1,932