On September 14, 2026, Secretary Burgum stated that deep-sea mining permits could be issued within the coming months as the United States continues efforts to strengthen and diversify critical mineral supply chains. His comments follow broader US initiatives to streamline offshore mineral leasing and permitting.
“We welcome the continued progress toward establishing clear and efficient regulatory pathways for responsible deep-sea mineral development in the United States,” said James Deckelman, Chief Executive Officer of Deep Sea Minerals Corp. “The growing focus on offshore critical minerals reflects their potential role in strengthening US critical mineral supply chains. Deep Sea Minerals remains focused on responsibly advancing its own US regulatory strategy through the established NOAA process.”
The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, American Deep Sea Minerals Corp., has submitted an application to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act of 1980 (DSHMRA) for an exploration license covering approximately 147,368 km2 within the Clarion-Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean.
On May 26, 2026, NOAA determined the Company’s application to be in substantial compliance, establishing the Company’s priority of right for issuance of an exploration license with respect to its applied-for concession area under the DSHMRA framework. On July 17, 2026, the Company submitted an amended application that it believes addresses NOAA’s supplemental information requests. The application remains subject to further regulatory review, and substantial compliance does not constitute an exploration license or authorization to commence offshore activities.
The Department of the Interior’s offshore mineral framework is separate from the NOAA-administered DSHMRA process applicable to the Company’s current application.