The Canadian firm The Metals Company (TMC) announced on Tuesday that it has submitted an application to the United States for deep sea mining in international water. This marks the first such application supported by President Donald Trump’s push to the industry.
The mineral vehicles targeted by TMC are important for the manufacture of batteries and electric cables, as reported by AFP. However, environmental groups have expressed concern about the possible ecological effects of removing these resources.
The TMC USA, a subsidiary of the Metals Company, is demanding a license for multi-dominated deposits found in the Clarion-Cliparton Zone of the Pacific Ocean.
Metals Company President and CEO Gerrard Baron “took the move a major step for the US’s mineral independence and industrial revival.”
The company initially planned to submit its application to the International Cabed Authority (ISA), but changed the syllabus due to the delay in development of ISA mining rules. Shortly thereafter, President Trump issued an executive order to speed up the review process for mining permits, including international water.
Environmental groups, including Greenpeace, have criticized the application, arguing that deep sea mining can cause damage to delicate ecosystems.
