Seabed Mining Interests Across the Pacific Islands: Geopolitical and Environmental Implications

Strategic Insights -

The Pacific Ocean's seafloor is rich in mineral deposits, including cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel, rare earth elements, zinc, and other minerals crucial for the transition to clean energy technologies. The People's Republic of China (PRC) leads in critical mineral production, and some Members of Congress have expressed concerns about China potentially seizing control of deep-sea assets. To diversify the U.S. supply chain and reduce reliance on China, the U.S. government is considering promoting U.S. commercial seabed mining partnerships with Pacific Island Countries (PICs).

Key Takeaways:

  • The Cook Islands has estimated 6.7 billion metric tons of polymetallic nodules within its EEZ, which could yield 20 million metric tons of cobalt.
  • Kiribati has granted exploration licenses to companies including Marawa Research and Exploration Ltd. and The Metals Company (TMC).
  • Papua New Guinea has abandoned its Solwara 1 project after years of delays and significant financial losses.
  • Tonga has issued seabed mining licenses to international entities, but the status of mining in its EEZ is unclear.
  • China has restrictions on exporting critical minerals, including those found in seabed deposits, and U.S. Congress is considering promoting U.S. commercial seabed mining partnerships with PICs.
  • The U.S. government has mapped and explored the EEZs of U.S. Pacific territories for critical minerals, and Congress may consider directing these agencies to broaden their exploration.
  • Seabed mining partnerships with PICs could strengthen U.S. partnerships in the Pacific and drive economic growth but also could prompt territorial disputes, tensions over regulations, and increased demand for maritime domain awareness and security.
  • Stakeholders raise concerns about the potential environmental impacts of seabed mining and the available scientific information to assess the risks.

Statistics:

  • **Estimated economically recoverable seabed minerals in the Cook Islands' EEZ and Papua New Guinea's EEZ:** $47 million and $44 million (2015 USD) per year, respectively (based on a 2016 assessment).
  • **Total amount of PMNs estimated to occur within the Cook Islands' EEZ:** 6.7 billion metric tons (according to the Cook Islands Seabed Mineral Authority).
  • **Value of cobalt that could be yielded from Cook Islands' PMNs:** 20 million metric tons (estimated by the Seabed Minerals Authority).
  • **Government of Papua New Guinea's financial loss from the abandoned Solwara 1 project:** approximately $100 million (USD) (cited by the PNG prime minister).

Sources:

  • Congressional Research Service, "Seabed Mining Interests Across the Pacific Islands," (No. IF12974, August 13, 2025)
  • Cook Islands Seabed Mineral Authority, "Seabed Minerals Act 2019"
  • Kiribati Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, "Seabed Minerals Act 2017"
  • Papua New Guinea Mineral Resources Authority, "Mining Act of 1992"