Trump propels deep‑sea mining surge: industry leader

Moana Minerals CEO Sees Trump’s support as Catalyst for Deep‑Sea Mining

Hans Smit, chief executive of Cook Islands‑based Moana Minerals, argues that President Donald Trump’s backing of deep‑sea mining has injected new momentum into an industry long “dogged by calls for a ban until its environmental impact is clear.”

What Trump’s Order Means for the Industry

Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order aimed at “unleashing” mineral resources found in the deep ocean. Smit explains that the order has “tasked his people to go and look at it seriously,” signaling a shift in the U.S. political landscape that now resonates with global mineral players.

Why the Cook Islands’ Claims Hold Global Attention

The Cook Islands, which claims one of the world’s largest deposits of polymetallic nodules—golf‑ball sized lumps studded with cobalt, nickel, and manganese—signed a contentious deep‑sea mining cooperation deal with China. Smit says that the islands’ engagement “is listening” and that the U.S. is now “engaging with a lot of people that in the past would not give us the time of day.”

Ministerial Response and Future Plans

• Moana Minerals aims to start commercial production by 2030.
• Smit tells worried observers that beefing up access to critical metals is the pragmatic way to counter China’s stranglehold.
• Cook Islands Government spokesman Edward Herman says the islands will remain “aligned with the International Seabed Authority’s approach.”

Other Nations Exploring Mining Deals

• Kiribati, a Pacific neighbour of the Cook Islands, is also exploring a deep‑sea mining deal with China.
• China already holds some of the world’s largest deposits of critical minerals and is fiercely protective of its position.

International Seabed Authority’s Pending Rules

The International Seabed Authority, which oversees deep‑sea mining in international waters, has yet to adopt long-awaited rules governing the industry. Smit notes that the authority’s rules are “still a lot to be unpacked before we’re going to have any clarity as to which way it’s going to go.”

Canada‑Based Company’s Bold Move

Canada‑based The Metals Company has indicated it could forge ahead and start mining international waters without the authority’s approval, applying instead for a mining permit under obscure and untested U.S. laws that say U.S. citizens can mine the ocean outside the nation’s maritime territory. Smit said he “understands why The Metals Company have done it” but also emphasised that the industry “still needs a lot of clarity.”

Conclusion

With President Trump’s executive order, the Cook Islands’ partnership with China, and the potential for a U.S.‑led mining initiative, the world’s critical‑mineral supply chain is now in a phase of rapid transformation. Smit’s optimistic outlook for 2030 suggests that deep‑sea mining may soon become a commercial reality, reshaping global trade dynamics and strategic mineral access.