BECQ weighs pros and cons of offshore mining ahead of 30-day RFI

11/12/2025 - On the eve of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s release of a Request for Information and Interest for offshore critical minerals planning in the CNMI, the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality outlined the potential benefits and risks of deep-sea mining in the U.S. territory.

BECQ administrator Floyd Masga, in comments to Marianas Press ahead of BOEM’s RFI publication in the Federal Register, recalled that even during the administration of the late governor Arnold I. Palacios, alarm bells had already been raised about this development.

Masga said he was compelled to address one of the main questions facing the Northern Marianas: how offshore mining could impact—and potentially benefit—the CNMI.

He noted that offshore mining could spur economic growth and job creation by developing new industries, generating high-paying technical jobs, and opening investment opportunities within U.S. territories such as the CNMI and American Samoa.

“The question we need to ask ourselves is—are we ready to partake in such an endeavor? Expanded domestic production could strengthen regional economies and diversify employment opportunities beyond tourism and fisheries,” Masga said.

Masga also highlighted potential national security advantages, saying offshore mining could reduce U.S. dependence on foreign nations, particularly China, for critical minerals used in defense, clean energy, and electronics.

“Domestic sourcing enhances supply chain resilience for essential materials like cobalt, nickel, manganese, and rare earth elements—including precious metals such as gold, copper, and silver,” he added.

He said deep-sea exploration could also drive technological innovation and scientific research.

“Partnerships between federal agencies, research institutions, and private industry could advance deep-sea science and monitoring capabilities,” he said. “However, a key question remains—how large is the actual area being targeted for exploration or potential development? More research is needed to determine what exists within our jurisdictional waters and how rich those deposits truly are.”

Before any decision is made, Masga said the CNMI must prioritize informed policy development.

“Public input through the Request for Information ensures that territorial, Indigenous, and local knowledge inform federal decision-making,” he said. “It is critical that our communities seize this opportunity to provide input. Data gathered during exploration will also improve understanding of deep-sea ecosystems and resource potential.”

Still, Masga warned that offshore mining could come at an environmental and cultural cost.

“Seabed mining and exploration can disturb fragile marine ecosystems, affect biodiversity, and alter sediment and water chemistry. Recovery from such disturbances can take decades—or even centuries,” he said.

He also cautioned that offshore mining could lead to cultural conflicts.

“Activities near traditional fishing grounds or culturally significant marine areas could disrupt Indigenous and local practices,” he said. “This underscores the importance of proper consultation and identifying specific target areas. Inadequate consultation could lead to opposition or loss of trust in both local and federal processes.”

Masga pointed out that offshore mining has long been fraught with regulatory and transparency challenges.

“While the Executive Order calls for streamlined permitting, this may create tension between expedited development and thorough environmental review under NEPA and other laws,” he said, adding that agencies such as NOAA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Marianas Trench National Monument Advisory Council, and the CNMI resource agencies must play active roles in oversight.

“Transparency and meaningful public participation are essential to maintaining credibility and public trust,” he emphasized.

Masga also cited economic and political uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration’s renewed push for offshore mining.

“Market fluctuations in mineral demand or commodity prices could affect the long-term viability of projects,” he said. “However, current trends indicate a growing need to secure scarce resources such as gold, copper, and silver. Territorial governments must balance short-term economic opportunities with long-term sustainability.”

Ultimately, Masga said the administration’s Executive Order on offshore mining aims to strengthen U.S. energy security and economic independence through responsible mineral exploration.

“Success will depend on careful environmental management, respect for local and Indigenous interests, and transparent, science-based decision-making to ensure development aligns with both national and regional priorities,” he said. “That’s why it’s important to have these discussions and provide comments now.”

The CNMI RFI on offshore mining will be published in the Federal Register on Nov. 12, 2025, opening a 30-day public comment period that closes on Dec. 12.

The RFI does not constitute a decision to hold a lease sale but invites input from territorial and local governments, Indigenous communities, industry, ocean users, and the public. BOEM said the feedback will help identify mineral resource potential, areas of environmental or cultural significance, and possible conflicts with fishing or maritime activity.

After the comment period, BOEM will evaluate the input and determine whether to move forward with the next phase—including Area Identification, a Proposed Leasing Notice, or a Final Leasing Notice. Any future lease sale would undergo full environmental review under NEPA and comply with all federal laws.

In addition to the CNMI RFI, BOEM also announced completion of Area Identification for offshore mining in American Samoa.

Both actions, BOEM said, mark progress in responsibly assessing leasing opportunities for critical minerals across the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf—supporting U.S. manufacturing, national security, and economic resilience.

“These efforts further the directives in President Trump’s April 2025 Executive Order 14285, ‘Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources,’ which calls for the rapid development of domestic seabed mineral capabilities through streamlined permitting—without compromising environmental and transparency standards.”

Report by Mark Rabago