Despite the escalating competition to extract vital minerals from the ocean floor, a critical global meeting organized by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) concluded this week without finalizing a new mining code.
The ISA, headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica, is the sole international entity responsible for overseeing resource extraction in international waters. Recent mounting pressure on the ISA stemmed from the United States’ decision, during President Donald Trump’s administration, to initiate mining approvals outside the ISA’s jurisdiction.
As the U.S. is not a member of the 172-nation ISA, which operates under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Trump’s directive to expedite mining permits has raised concerns that it could undermine the ISA’s regulatory authority.
Leticia Carvalho, the ISA’s secretary-general, cautioned during a press briefing on Thursday that actions to mine the deep sea outside the ISA framework might violate international laws, potentially leading to a fragmentation of ocean governance.
A group of leading ocean and climate scientists, including Canadians, is calling for a ban on deep-sea mining just as U.S. President Donald Trump moves to fast-track undersea mining approvals.
Why the increased pressure?
In 2025, The Metals Company (TMC), a major player in seabed mining, redirected its attention to the U.S. government, seeking permits to mine in international waters while challenging the authority of the ISA.
Headquartered in Vancouver, TMC stated that obtaining U.S. approval is part of its strategy to advance mining projects. In March, the U.S. agency overseeing its application indicated that the company largely complies with U.S. regulations.
Prior to the recent meeting, Carvalho expressed hope to the New York Times that a mining code could be finalized this year to counter TMC and the U.S. government’s moves.
Although she emphasized that establishing these regulations is crucial to deter mining companies from circumventing the ISA process, Carvalho did not provide a revised timeline for when the mining code might be completed.
The ISA has initiated an investigation into TMC’s subcontractors to determine if their actions are undermining global negotiations on deep-sea mining.
According to Louisa Casson, a Greenpeace campaigner involved in deep-sea mining discussions, governments must scrutinize companies for potential contract breaches and impose consequences on those attempting to sidestep international laws.