Opinions are sharply divided regarding President Donald Trump’s initiative to spur undersea mining for minerals used in the production of batteries, electronics, and steel, which are deemed critical to U.S. national security.
On April 24, Trump issued an executive order on “unleashing America’s offshore critical minerals,” which would accelerate the approval process for the exploration and extraction of minerals by deep-sea mining.
“Vast offshore seabed areas hold critical minerals and energy resources,” the order reads. “These resources are key to strengthening our economy, securing our energy future, and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical minerals.”
Deep-sea mining advocates say mining the world’s oceans is a cheaper and cleaner way to extract essential minerals, including copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, silver, gold, and rare earth elements, reducing the United States’ dependence on China in the process….