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Panel debates deep-sea mining bill as industry pushes permits and scientists warn of risks
Summary
H.R. 4018 would direct federal agencies to expedite permitting and seabed mapping for offshore critical minerals; industry speakers highlighted large nodule resources and U.S. strategic needs, while Democrats and environmental groups warned of inadequate study, limited public input, and international law concerns.
Lawmakers and witnesses debated H.R. 4018, a bill to codify executive action aimed at expanding U.S. access to offshore critical minerals via expedited permitting and seabed mapping.
Hans Schmidt, chief executive of Ocean Minerals LLC, told the committee his company’s license area in the Cook Islands contains polymetallic nodules with large quantities of manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper and rare earth elements. Schmidt said his firm’s surveys identified “more than 80,000,000 tons of manganese, 2,500,000 tons of cobalt, 1,400,000 tons of nickel, 750,000 tons of copper, and significant amounts of rare earth elements.” He argued that responsible seabed development and U.S. refining capacity could reduce reliance on foreign processors and strengthen national security.
Proponents framed the bill as a strategic step to reduce dependence on adversarial suppliers. Several members and witnesses warned that China controls large shares of refining and processing worldwide, and testimony urged U.S. action to preserve domestic technological leadership.
Democratic members and several witnesses raised environmental and governance concerns. Representative Ansari and others pointed to risks to fisheries and coastal communities and to the need for more study and broader public review. Representative Katie Porter (noted in committee dialogue as a critic) and Rep. Davis (D-Calif.) asked whether expedited procedures would include meaningful input from coastal state governments. Acting DOI official Adam Seese responded, “Yes, ma’am. Happy to meet with any state government that contacts the office.”
Committee Democrats also highlighted international governance questions: leaving states and local governments out of decision-making, and potential conflicts with ongoing multilateral negotiations at the International Seabed Authority and the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Industry witnesses urged the U.S. to develop technology, vessel capability and domestic processing capacity. Ocean Minerals estimated a single production vessel could generate about $1.4 billion of annual revenue under its projection and said the company is advancing metallurgical technology toward pilot scale. Environmental groups entered critical analyses into the record during the hearing.
Members said they would weigh edits to preserve scientific study, coastal-state input and community engagement while addressing strategic supply-chain concerns.
