Deep-Sea Mining: Has Trump Unleashed A Scramble For The Seabed?

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) In opening the door to deep-sea mining, the United States is bypassing the United Nations body entrusted with managing the ocean floor. The UN warns of a 'dangerous precedent'. Meanwhile, a Swiss company is at the centre of the diplomatic storm. This content was published on June 26, 2025 - 09:00 9 minutes

Warfare, humanitarian crises, climate change, health... I cover geopolitical issues from international Geneva and coordinate the "Genève Vision" editorial project, a joint venture among SWI swissinfo, Géopolitis RTS and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). As a former environmental journalist, I have developed a keen interest in raw materials and have reported on mining conflicts in the Arctic. I studied geography and specialised in investigative journalism, video, and data journalism at the Academy of Journalism and Media, collaborating with outlets such as Temps présent (RTS), Le Temps, 24 Heures, Heidi, and Geneva Solutions.

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For some it is an Eldorado, for others a sanctuary that must be protected: the ocean floor and its mineral deposits are at the heart of geopolitical tensions. In early June, the international community gathered at a United Nations conference on the ocean in Nice, France, to discuss major marine challenges.

In April, US President Donald Trump signed a controversial executive order External link promoting deep-sea mining in US and international waters. The goal is to collect a billion tonnes' worth of minerals over ten years resources that are deemed crucial for the energy transition, digitalisation and weaponry.

“Any unilateral decision sets a dangerous precedent that could destabilise the entire system of global ocean governance,” warned Leticia Reis de Carvalho, secretary general of the International Seabed Authority (ISA). Today, any commercial activity in the deep sea, beyond national jurisdictions, requires the approval of this UN body. This global governance framework was established by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which Washington has not ratified.

Energy transition, digitalisation, an arms race: demand for critical metals is soaring and could increase by 500% by 2050, according to the World Bank. Some corporations are now eyeing the ocean floor in their search for an Eldorado.

Underwater mining, which is still in the exploratory stage, involves scraping the seabed to extract polymetallic nodules. These are large pebbles rich in manganese, iron, nickel, copper or cobalt.

This technique is strongly criticised by scientists and environmentalists, as the impact on still unfathomed marine ecosystems is not yet fully known. Around 30 countries, including Switzerland, are therefore calling for a moratorium.

Bypassing international law

“Despite not having ratified the convention, in 1994 the United States signed an agreement relating to its implementation, in particular with regard to deep-seabed mining. This gives it a moral obligation to respect the convention,” said Clément Chazot, an ocean specialist at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).“We can speak of customary law, meaning that all states are bound by it, even if they did not sign the treaty.”

Under the convention, in international waters the seabed and its resources are considered the common heritage of humankind.“No State may claim, acquire or exercise sovereignty over any part of the [international seabed] Area or its mineral resources. It is common understanding that this prohibition is binding on all States, including those that have not ratified the convention,” ISA secretary general Reis de Carvalho said in a press release.

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