WASHINGTON — Republican representatives from Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa said they oppose deep-sea mining in the Pacific Ocean during a hearing Thursday before the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Several mining companies have expressed interest in Pacific waters near U.S. territories, where the deep ocean floor contains vast quantities of minerals such as nickel and cobalt. The minerals are key components in technologies ranging from cellphones to wind turbines, but critics warn that mining could harm fragile ocean ecosystems.
This interest followed President Donald Trump’s executive order last April to establish the United States as “a global leader in seabed mineral exploration and development.” The order aims to counter China’s influence in this sector.
One of the witnesses, Oliver Gunasekara, CEO of Impossible Metals, said he hopes to invest in this industry. He argued that the nations that control these minerals control the future.
“Deep-sea mining is now inevitable,” said Gunasekara. “The only question is whether the United States will lead this new industry, or whether we will allow China to dominate it.”
Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., agreed, noting that China currently controls approximately 60% of mineral production and 90% of mineral processing.
Subcommittee members from both parties were largely concerned about similar issues. Ranking Member Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., noted that while both sides agree the minerals are essential for national security and technology, they differ on whether deep-sea mining is the best approach.
Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif. explained that massive government subsidies are needed for both extraction and processing. He saw no proven benefits to supporting this industry.
“I think it is sad we are platforming essentially a venture capital fundraising charrette for an industry that has such a dismal track record and such a wishful path to ever achieving success,” Huffman said.
Despite many questions about potential environmental concerns, Gunasekara asserted that his company has gone to great lengths to minimize impacts.
“If we detect life like an octopus or its eggs, we won’t disturb it. It’s the most cleanest form of mining you can imagine,” Gunasekara said.
Another witness, Gerard Barron, CEO of The Metals Company, affirmed that deep-sea mining is the best option for obtaining critical minerals. He argues that environmental critics and activists are drawing premature conclusions.
Yet, researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa warn that deep-sea mining operations could disrupt marine ecosystems. Discharged waste could impact the food supply of zooplankton, microscopic organisms that are critical food sources supporting the entire food web.
If these ecosystems are disrupted, it could result in devastating consequences for the fishing industry. These concerns are particularly acute for U.S. territories in the Pacific Ocean, which would be directly affected by these mining operations.
Members of both parties generally agreed that Indigenous voices in these territories matter in this discussion.
“When Indigenous voices are ignored, the result is always the same. Sacred places [are] destroyed, waters [are] contaminated and communities are left to deal with the damages long after the corporations move on,” said Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz.
Following Grijalva’s testimony, Rep. Jeff Hurd, R-Colo., yielded his time to Rep. James Moylan, R-Guam, to ask questions.
“My message today is simple,” Moylan said later in his own statement. “If our waters are going to be discussed, then our voices must be heard, not as an afterthought.”
Huffman noted that both the American Samoa and Guam legislatures voted unanimously to reject deep-sea mining proposals. The Northern Mariana Islands raised serious concerns.
Rep. Kimberlyn King-Hinds, R-Northern Mariana Islands, echoed these sentiments. While she recognized the importance of strategic competition with China, she also advocated for these island territories.
“In places like the Marianas, American Samoa, Guam, we don’t get the luxury of being wrong,” King-Hinds said. “Any decision impacting our ocean is permanent.”
