The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has begun the process for a potential mineral lease sale in federal waters off the Virginia coast. This marks only the third offshore mineral leasing action in over 30 years.
This action follows a lease sale request submitted last month by Odyssey Marine Exploration, a U.S. company focused on heavy mineral sands and phosphorites in the Virginia offshore area. This request initiated BOEM's official review under President Trump’s Executive Order 14285, Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources.
“America’s economy and national security depend on reliable access to critical minerals,” said BOEM Acting Director Matt Giacona. “By moving forward with responsible offshore leasing, we are lessening our dependence on foreign supply chains and ensuring that future technologies are driven by American innovation.”
BOEM manages 3.2 billion acres of the Outer Continental Shelf, an area larger than all the land in the U.S. The next step is to publish a Request for Information and Interest in the Federal Register, inviting comments from states, Tribal Nations, ocean users, industry representatives, government agencies, and the public.
This feedback will help BOEM evaluate the area's geological potential, environmental and cultural considerations, and how it may fit with existing ocean activities like fishing and maritime navigation. If BOEM decides to go ahead with the lease sale, it will conduct a review following all relevant federal laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.
This initiative in Virginia follows similar efforts for offshore mineral development in the Pacific. On November 10, BOEM announced it had completed Area Identification offshore American Samoa and opened a public comment period for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, taking the first steps towards commercial leasing of seabed minerals in U.S. Pacific territories.
The push for offshore mineral development has gained speed after policy changes from the Department of the Interior in June aimed at speeding up the approval process. Important changes included extending prospecting permits from three to five years and identifying potential development areas without needing to issue formal requests for information first. This could save months or even years in the process.
“We are taking strong steps to secure America’s position in critical minerals—resources that fuel our economy, protect our national security, and support modern life,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Adam Suess. “By reducing unnecessary delays while keeping strong environmental protections, we are creating a clear path for responsible development that benefits our communities and our country.”
U.S. waters are believed to contain one billion metric tons of polymetallic nodules rich in manganese, nickel, copper, and other critical minerals essential for manufacturing, technology, and defense.
William Hague, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs, emphasized the economic potential: “If done correctly, this could provide significant economic benefits for our fellow Americans in the territory.”
The American Samoa process began when Impossible Metals submitted a formal lease sale request to BOEM in April 2025, the first such request in over 30 years. While the U.S. can authorize mining in its territorial waters, international waters present complex jurisdictional challenges.
These initiatives are facing scrutiny from environmental groups concerned about the possible effects on marine biodiversity. However, BOEM has committed to adhering to environmental protection laws throughout the process.
BOEM noted that neither the Virginia initiative nor other Area Identification efforts mean that leases will definitely be issued. Any potential lease sale would require further publications in the Federal Register, environmental reviews under NEPA, and compliance with all applicable federal laws.