U.S. Plans First Offshore Mining Lease Sale Near American Samoa

The U.S. government will host its first offshore mining lease sale, offering areas near American Samoa for deep-sea excavation. This move, announced on Monday, involves leasing ocean tracts where large-scale mining has never occurred. The administration hopes to explore the seafloor for minerals, putting around 32 million acres up for bid.

This initiative is part of efforts to broaden mining, both on land and in the sea. Last year, an executive order was signed to initiate deep-sea mining. The lease sale is scheduled for November 19. Companies winning bids can begin preliminary work, like mapping, but must secure further approval for mining activities.

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