US Interior Department launches process for potential offshore mineral lease sale near American Samoa

The US Department of the Interior (DOI) has initiated the process to evaluate a potential mineral lease sale in the waters offshore American Samoa.

The DOI said this marks the first such action by the department in over 30 years and could lead to future extraction of critical minerals from the US outer continental shelf.

"Critical minerals are fundamental to strengthening our nation's resilience and safeguarding our national interests,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "By providing opportunities to responsibly access deep-sea mineral resources, we are supporting both American economic growth and national security."

The DOI manages approximately 3.2 billion acres (1.3 billion hectares) of the outer continental shelf—an area larger than the entire US landmass.

An executive order signed recently by President Donald Trump identifies seabed mineral development as vital to US national security, particularly in light of growing activity by China and Russia in the Pacific region and America’s ongoing reliance on foreign critical minerals.

On April 8, 2025, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) received a formal request for a lease sale from US-based company Impossible Metals. In response, BOEM will begin a multi-step evaluation process grounded in science and public engagement.

The first formal step will be the publication of a request for information and Interest in the federal register. This notice will seek input from the indigenous island community, ocean users, industry stakeholders, government agencies and the public.

The DOI said feedback will help inform BOEM’s assessment of geologic conditions, potential environmental impacts and the multiple uses of the area, such as navigation and fishing.

BOEM will also ensure full compliance with all applicable laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.