Environmental groups sue US over deep-sea mining auction off American Samoa

By Faisal Mahmud

ISLAMABAD (AA) - Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit challenging the US government’s authority to auction deep-sea mining leases covering more than 31 million acres off American Samoa.

The lawsuit, filed Monday by Fa’asao Amerika Samoa, the Conservation Council for Hawai’i and the Faleula o le Manu’atele council of traditional chiefs, seeks to block the Nov. 19 auction, Radio New Zealand (RNZ) reported.

The groups argue that the Marine Minerals Administration lacks legal authority to issue the leases under federal law and historical treaties governing American Samoa.

Fa’asao Amerika Samoa co-founder Seumalu Elora Raymond warned that challenging the project would become considerably harder once mining companies secured leases.

“I think every hour we spend on this before that event is worth weeks and months of effort,” she told RNZ.

The lawsuit follows separate legal action filed in August, with a hearing scheduled for Oct. 30.

In April 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order identifying deep-sea mining as a national security and economic priority.

US company Impossible Metals subsequently sought access to seabed deposits containing nickel, copper and cobalt.

American Samoa banned deep-sea mining in its territorial waters in 2024, but the proposed auction covers federally controlled waters beyond that boundary.

Environmental groups maintain that federal law does not authorize such leasing in US territories.