Cook Islands delays seabed mining

Deep seabed mining may not happen in the Cook Islands this decade.

The Pacific nation’s Seabed Minerals Authority announced last week that it will extend the exploration phase of mining activity until 2032, five years beyond an initial deadline of 2027.

The move is notable for a few reasons.

First, the Cook Islands government has been one of the strongest national proponents of deep seabed mining: Prime Minister Mark Brown has even dubbed his country’s polymetallic nodules “golden apples.”

Second, the deferral means commercial extraction might not occur during the Trump administration, which recently pledged to partner with the Cook Islands on deep seabed research and mining. Indeed, NOAA recently co-sponsored a research cruise to survey seabed habitat within the Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority estimates that its trillions of nodules could meet global demand for cobalt for decades. The Authority initially awarded 5-year exploration licenses to three firms in 2022, including an American company recently profiled by the Spotlight. Those companies will now need to renew their exploration licenses, rather than immediately apply for exploitation permits in 2027.

Still, it’s possible a mining firm could apply for a commercial extraction permit prior to 2032 if it completes all required exploration activities and documentation, according to a statement from the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority.

Meanwhile, in the U.S. EEZ…

The Trump administration is considering offering seabed mining leases in federal waters near the Northern Mariana Islands. Public comments are now open until December 12.

Elsewhere, the administration took another step toward mining near American Samoa. BOEM issued a memo last week identifying specific ocean blocks that could be leased, despite unanimous opposition from the territory’s government. Notably, the proposed area includes existing and planned data cables. Tech firms, including Google, have urged the administration to prohibit mining activity near these cables.

One final note

A United Nations conservation group this week released a report on the potential impacts of deep seabed mining on migratory animals like sharks and whales. It’s a great summary of the current state of research, compiled by Andrew Thaler, who writes about deep seabed mining and other topics at Southern Fried Science.

Editor’s note 12/5/2025: This article has been updated to include information from the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority, stating that firms may apply for commercial extraction prior to 2032 if certain requirements are met.