The U.S. takes a step towards allowing mining on the ocean floor, a fragile ecosystem

Npr - Apr 25th, 2025
Open on Npr

President Trump signed an executive order aiming to facilitate deep-sea mining, promising to bolster the domestic supply of critical minerals. The order seeks to expedite permit reviews for mining on the ocean floor, leveraging the 1980 Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act, and potentially bypassing international regulations set by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). Currently, there is no commercial deep-sea mining, but companies are interested in resources like nickel, cobalt, manganese, and copper found in oceanic nodules. The Metals Company, a Canadian firm, has already expressed interest in acquiring a U.S. permit, boosting its shares by 44% post-announcement.

The executive order has been met with criticism from scientists and environmental groups, who warn of the potential ecological impact on fragile marine ecosystems. Concerns include sediment plumes that may harm marine life and disrupt food webs. Critics also question the necessity of deep-sea mining, given advancements in alternative battery chemistries reducing reliance on traditional metals. Despite past U.S. respect for the ISA's regulatory framework, the current move signifies a shift that may have broader implications for international collaborations on seabed resource management.

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RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of President Trump's executive order on deep-sea mining, balancing the perspectives of government, industry, and environmental science. Its timely coverage of a significant policy decision and its potential implications for international relations and ecological conservation make it highly relevant. While the article is generally accurate and well-structured, it could benefit from more direct sourcing and clarification of some technical terms. Overall, it effectively informs readers about a complex and controversial issue, encouraging thoughtful consideration of the economic and environmental stakes involved.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story provides a generally accurate depiction of President Trump's executive order regarding deep-sea mining. It correctly identifies the order's aim to facilitate mining for critical minerals on the seafloor and its reliance on existing U.S. legislation. However, specific details, such as the explicit use of the 1980 Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act, are implied rather than directly confirmed in the sources. The claim about The Metals Company's stock surge lacks verification, which affects the overall accuracy. The story accurately mentions the U.S. stance with the International Seabed Authority, but some scientific and economic claims, such as those by Micah Ziegler, are not directly supported by available sources.

8
Balance

The article presents a balanced view by including perspectives from government actions, scientific concerns, and industry interests. It discusses the potential benefits of securing domestic mineral supplies and the environmental risks associated with deep-sea mining. The inclusion of quotes from both environmental scientists and industry representatives provides a comprehensive overview of the debate. However, the story could benefit from additional viewpoints, such as those from international stakeholders or deeper insights into the ISA's position.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear language to convey complex topics, such as international maritime law and deep-sea mining technology. The logical flow from the executive order to potential environmental impacts and industry reactions helps readers grasp the multifaceted issue. The tone remains neutral and informative, though some technical terms, like 'sediment plumes,' could be further explained to enhance understanding for a general audience.

6
Source quality

The article references credible sources, such as university professors and industry stakeholders, which lends authority to the claims. However, some claims, particularly those regarding The Metals Company's stock movements and specific scientific assertions, lack direct attribution to primary sources. The absence of direct quotes or data from the ISA or detailed corporate filings weakens the overall source quality. More robust sourcing would enhance the article's credibility.

7
Transparency

The article provides a clear basis for its claims, explaining the context of the executive order and the ongoing international negotiations over seabed mining. However, it lacks explicit disclosure of the methodology behind some claims, such as the scientific analysis of environmental impacts. The article could improve transparency by detailing the sources of its economic and scientific assertions more thoroughly, ensuring readers understand the foundation of each claim.

Sources

  1. https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/04/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-unleashes-americas-offshore-critical-minerals-and-resources/
  2. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/unleashing-americas-offshore-critical-minerals-and-resources/
  3. https://earthjustice.org/press/2025/earthjustice-statement-on-trump-administrations-deep-seabed-mining-executive-order
  4. https://www.axios.com/2025/04/24/trump-looks-to-quickly-develop-deep-sea-mineral-extraction