# Executive Order: Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources
This Executive Order positions the development of offshore seabed minerals as a matter of national security and economic independence. The order frames America's control over vast offshore seabed areas as a strategic opportunity to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers for critical minerals, particularly highlighting concerns about "foreign adversary control" of supply chains. According to the order, American seabeds contain potentially rich deposits of strategic minerals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, titanium, and rare earth elements that are described as "vital to our national security and economic prosperity." The order represents a significant policy push to accelerate domestic mineral resource development through streamlined regulatory processes.
The order establishes several concrete directives with specific timelines, mandating action within 60 days from multiple federal agencies. It directs the Commerce Department to expedite licensing for seabed mineral exploration and commercial recovery in international waters, while the Interior Department must establish expedited permitting processes for operations within the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. The Commerce Department must develop a seabed mapping plan for resource-rich areas, particularly prioritizing U.S. waters. The order also requires multiple agencies to produce reports identifying private sector opportunities for exploration, mining, and processing of seabed minerals. Additionally, it calls for engagement with international allies to establish partnerships that counter what the order characterizes as "China's growing influence over seabed mineral resources."
Implementation responsibilities are distributed across several federal entities, with primary duties assigned to the Departments of Commerce, Interior, Defense, and Energy. The Commerce Secretary, acting through NOAA, must lead expedited licensing processes in consultation with State and Interior departments. Reports on various aspects of implementation must be submitted to the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and leadership of the National Energy Dominance Council. The order instructs defense and energy officials to examine the potential use of the National Defense Stockpile for storing seabed-derived materials and to review regulations supporting domestic processing capabilities. Financial institutions including the Development Finance Corporation, Export-Import Bank, and Trade and Development Agency are directed to identify tools to support seabed mineral development both domestically and internationally. While emphasizing streamlined regulatory processes, the order states these expedited procedures should maintain environmental standards and transparency.