French Polynesia Plans to Challenge U.S. Startup Seabed Mining Proposal

The government of French Polynesia plans to challenge an American startup’s proposal to explore waters just beyond its maritime borders for seabed mining, Grist reported. President Moetai Brotherson said the territory was approached but not consulted.

“We are not remaining passive while industrial activities are proposed immediately next to ecosystems that French Polynesia has chosen to protect,” he stated.

The proposed exploration area lies entirely surrounded by the maritime borders of the Cook Islands, Kiribati, and French Polynesia. American Deep Sea Minerals, a Bay Area startup, has a permit application pending before U.S. regulators.

The company hopes to extract minerals essential to batteries and military technologies. At least a dozen applications for seabed mining permits in international waters are under consideration by the Trump administration. Last year the administration invited companies to apply for permits to mine the high seas directly through the U.S.

Negotiators from dozens of countries are meeting this month in Jamaica at the headquarters of the International Seabed Authority to debate a regulatory framework. Brotherson said American Deep Sea Minerals sent a brief introductory email to a government representative. The government replied asking for more information and received no response.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is still considering the application, which remains available for public comment online until August 3. The filing notes plans to create a benefit sharing agreement with Pacific nations and to avoid interfering with fishing. French Polynesia lacks a seat at the International Seabed Authority because it remains a French territory.