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§ 00Where we stand

Exploration today. Extraction, if ever, is years of review away.

In plain words: no mining is occurring in American Samoa's waters or anywhere in the world. Scientists are still learning what is on the seafloor. A lease — if one is ever issued — only allows study. Any extraction would need separate approvals after years of environmental and technical review, with public input.

Current stage: 1 of 5 — Exploration
The five stagesStage 1 of 5 · tap any stage to read about it
Stage 1 of 5You are here

Exploration

Now · 2025 – 2026 so far

Scientists are learning what is actually on the seafloor. NOAA has mapped the area, the U.S. Geological Survey recovered box-core samples from the Samoa Basin in April 2026, and biological, sediment and mineral studies are under way. BOEM has released a Proposed Lease Notice (PACM-1) — a lease, if one is ever issued, would only allow surveys, mapping, sampling and scientific studies.

What happens in this stage

  • Seafloor mapping (NOAA survey OPR-T900-KR-26, ~34,900 sq. nautical miles)
  • USGS box coring — 38 cores attempted, 36 recovered, April 2026
  • Baseline biology, sediment geochemistry and nodule analysis
  • BOEM Proposed Lease Notice and 60-day public comment period
  • Steering Committee and community outreach
Key caveat

No mining is occurring today in American Samoa's waters — or anywhere in the world. A lease does not authorise mining or commercial extraction.

Public input

Public comment on the Proposed Lease Notice; Steering Committee, townhalls and this platform.

Who decides

BOEM (federal) with the Governor and territorial agencies commenting

The stages are the milestones agreed with the Territory: Exploration → Analysis → Development → Review → Extraction.Each later stage only begins if the previous one is completed and separately approved — and none is guaranteed to happen.

§ A · Today

Five key things to know about deep-sea minerals in American Samoa today

  1. 01

    No mining is occurring today

    There is currently no commercial deep-sea mining in American Samoa's waters or anywhere in the world.

  2. 02

    A lease does not equal mining

    A BOEM lease only allows scientific research and data collection, not extraction.

  3. 03

    Any future mining would face years of rigorous review

    Multiple environmental, scientific, and technical assessments would be required before any activity could begin.

  4. 04

    Benefits and risks are still being thoroughly evaluated

    Ongoing studies are assessing potential economic opportunities alongside environmental and cultural impacts.

  5. 05

    Public input is a vital part of the process

    Community voices, stakeholders, and local leaders will help shape decisions every step of the way.

§ B · So far

What has happened so far

Every step to date has been about information — not extraction. Here is the sequence of events since the federal process began.

  1. June 2025

    BOEM Request for Interest (RFI)

    Triggered by an unsolicited request from Impossible Metals. BOEM published the RFI to alert other interested companies and gather information about the area; the public comment period was extended.

  2. November 2025

    BOEM completes Area Identification

    Approximately 33 million acres identified in the Samoa Basin for potential critical-minerals leasing. These are federal Outer Continental Shelf waters, beyond 3 nautical miles from shore, northeast of Rose Atoll and the Manuʻa Islands toward the Cook Islands boundary.

    American Samoa's territorial waters (0–3 nautical miles) remain under a local moratorium — Executive Order 006-2024.

  3. February – May 2026

    NOAA seafloor mapping survey OPR-T900-KR-26

    A hydrographic survey of the Samoa Basin to map the seafloor and record ocean conditions.

    34,932
    sq. nautical miles mapped
    36
    box cores
    73
    XBTs
  4. April 2026

    USGS Samoa Basin box-coring expedition

    38 box cores attempted, 36 recovered — for example, station BX34 at 165.99°W, 14.08°S, 5,432 m deep. The samples support baseline biology, sediment geochemistry and nodule analysis.

    Read the expedition findings→
  5. 15 June 2026

    USGS preliminary cruise report published

    Early results from the April expedition are released for scientists, regulators and the public.

  6. 2026

    BOEM releases the Proposed Lease Notice (PLN) for lease sale PACM-1

    The PLN identifies potential lease blocks and proposed terms and stipulations: Lease Area 1 (16,332,256 acres) and Lease Area 2 (15,170,979 acres). The Governor has 60 days to submit comments.

  7. 15 September 2026

    Governor Pula submits the Territory's comments to BOEM

    A formal response to the PACM-1 Proposed Leasing Notice, drawn from an interagency review across territorial agencies. It sets out 14 areas of concern — fisheries, Pago Pago Harbor, infrastructure costs, Rose Atoll, revenue sharing among them — and 13 recommendations, and asks that any future proposal to mine be treated as a separate decision.

    “American Samoa does not support commercial deep-sea mineral extraction at this time.”
    Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula
  8. Next major step

    Possible lease issuance

    A lease allows surveys, mapping and studies — gathering information. It does NOT authorize mining.

    Does not authorize mining
§ C · The federal process

How federal competitive leasing works

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) follows an eight-step process before any lease is issued. American Samoa is at step four: the Proposed Lease Notice.

  1. Step 01Done

    Applicant submits an unsolicited request to lease minerals, or BOEM publishes a Request for Interest (RFI) to alert other interested companies and solicit information on the area.

    • Public involvement
    • Posted to BOEM.gov
  2. Step 02Done

    BOEM identifies the location and tract size for the lease area.

  3. Step 03Done

    BOEM conducts environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), with agency-specific consultations.

    Adjacent states may form a Task Force with BOEM to coordinate and share information.

    • Public involvement
  4. Step 04← We are here

    BOEM issues a proposed leasing notice.

    • Public involvement
  5. Step 05

    Governors of adjacent states provide comments on the proposed lease sale.

  6. Step 06

    BOEM issues a leasing notice.

    • Public involvement
  7. Step 07

    Applicants place bids for a minerals lease.

  8. Step 08

    BOEM issues a lease.

In summary
  1. Request
  2. Area Identification
  3. Potential Lease Sale
  4. Surveys
  5. Plans
  6. Environmental Review
  7. Possible Decision
§ D · After a lease

From lease issuance to any possible extraction

If a lease were issued, this is the road that would still lie ahead — six stages, each with its own timeframe and its own decision point.

  1. 01

    Lease Issuance

    • BOEM issues a mineral lease after completion of the lease sale process.
    • Allows surveys, mapping, sampling, and scientific studies only.
    Does not authorize:MiningCommercial extraction
    Timeframe— (process start)
    Decision point · public input

    Public informed of lease issuance; information made available.

  2. 02

    Surveys & Research

    • Environmental baseline studies
    • Seafloor mapping and surveys
    • Sampling of rocks, sediments and water
    • Monitoring of ocean conditions
    • Data sharing with regulators and the public
    Timeframe1 – 3 years (approx.)
    Decision point · public input

    Ongoing engagement and opportunities for input.

  3. 03

    Data Analysis & Technical Studies(Internal to the lessee)

    • Analyze environmental and resource data
    • Evaluate resource potential
    • Evaluate technical feasibility
    • Evaluate environmental impacts
    • Assess potential economic factors
    • Identify potential impacts and mitigation options
    Timeframe2 – 3 years (approx.)
    Decision point · public input

    No formal public review at this stage; findings inform future decisions and plans.

  4. 04

    Submit Plans to Develop Minerals

    • Detailed plans may include delineation, testing, and mining activities
    • Includes study design, methods, technologies, environmental data, and safety and environmental protection measures
    • Technical and operational plans
    • Submitted to BOEM for review
    Timeframe6 – 12 months (approx.)
    Decision point · public input

    Notice and opportunity to provide comments.

  5. 05

    Environmental & Technical Review

    • Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
    • Analyze potential environmental impacts
    • Technical review of proposed activities
    • Considers alternatives and mitigation
    • Public scoping, review, and comment periods
    Timeframe1 – 3+ years (approx.)
    Decision point · public input

    Extensive involvement throughout the review process.

  6. 06

    Federal Review & Decision

    • BOEM reviews all plans, studies, and public input
    • Coordinates with other federal agencies
    • Determines whether activities may proceed, with or without conditions, or be denied
    Timeframe6 – 12+ months (approx.)
    Decision point · public input

    Decision documented and made public.

    • Approval (with or without conditions)
    • Modification
    • Denial
Potential timeframe10 – 12+ yearsor longer

Leasing does not guarantee mining. Any activities proposed offshore American Samoa would remain subject to federal laws, environmental review, public input, and oversight by BOEM and other federal agencies.

The short version
  1. 01Lease issuedInformation-gathering only
  2. 02Surveys & researchYears of baseline science
  3. 03Plans & environmental / technical reviewPublic comment
  4. 04Federal review & decisionApprove · modify · deny
  5. 05Possible commercial activityOnly if approved after years of review
Lease issuance = gathering information

We learn before we decide.

Mining = a future decision

Made only after science, environmental and technical review, and public input are complete.

§ E · PACM-1

Does a PACM-1 lease mean mining is guaranteed? No.

Three questions people ask about the proposed lease sale — answered from the Proposed Lease Notice and the federal regulations themselves.

Q1NO.

Does a PACM-1 lease authorize mining or exploration?

A PACM-1 lease does not authorize mining. A lease only provides a pathway to study the resource and environment. Any activities beyond preliminary work require additional federal decisions and environmental review.

Right now: preliminary activities only

BOEM's current environmental review covers leasing and preliminary activities intended to characterize the environment and not expected to have a significant adverse impact.

Source: PACM-1 PLN, Section IV.A

“Each lease is issued pursuant to OCSLA … and is subject to the OCSLA implementing regulations in 30 CFR part 581. The lease will remain subject to applicable Federal laws and regulations, including any later amendments, that do not expressly conflict with the lease.”

PACM-1 PLN, Section II, “Statutes and Regulations”, p. 4
Q2Later.

What happens if a company wants to mine in the future?

Mining, if ever proposed, comes later and requires a separate process:

  1. 1Plan submissionDelineation, Testing, and/or Mining Plan submitted to BOEM.
  2. 2Environmental reviewA separate EA or EIS.
  3. 3Federal decisionBOEM must approve the plan before any mining could occur.
  4. 4Ongoing oversightStrict conditions, monitoring, and reporting.

Even after a lease is issued, the company has no automatic right to begin mining.

Source: PACM-1 PLN, Section IV.A — “Any future mining would require a separate Delineation, Testing, and/or Mining Plan, BOEM approval, and separate environmental review.”

Q3YES.

Can BOEM suspend or cancel a lease after it is issued?

Federal law gives BOEM authority to suspend or cancel a lease if serious environmental harm cannot be prevented or reduced.

Under 30 CFR § 581.47(d), after a hearing, the Secretary of the Interior may cancel a lease if:

  • 1Continued lease activity would probably cause serious harm or damage to fish, aquatic life, or the marine, coastal, or human environment;
  • 2That threat will not disappear or decrease to an acceptable extent within a reasonable period; and
  • 3The advantages of cancellation outweigh the advantages of keeping the lease in force.
Important

Before cancellation can occur, operations are generally required to have been suspended or temporarily prohibited continuously for five (5) years, unless the lessee requests a shorter period.

The bottom line

A PACM-1 lease is about learning, not mining.

  • Lease = opportunity to study resources and environment
  • Mining requires separate plans, review, and approval
  • Public input and science guide every step
  • Strong federal safeguards remain in place, including suspension or cancellation authority

The process in practice — many steps, many safeguards

  1. 01
    Lease saleBOEM conducts the sale; a lease is issued.
  2. 02
    Preliminary activitiesSurveys and studies to characterize the environment.
  3. 03
    Plan submissionCompany submits a Delineation, Testing, and/or Mining Plan.
  4. 04
    Environmental reviewBOEM prepares an EA or EIS with public participation.
  5. 05
    BOEM decisionApproves, approves with conditions, or disapproves the plan.
  6. 06
    Monitoring & oversightOngoing monitoring, reporting, and compliance with strict conditions.
  7. 07
    Authority to protectBOEM can suspend or cancel the lease if the law's environmental standards are met.

Sources: PACM-1 PLN (p. 4; Section IV.A) · 30 CFR § 581.47(d) · BOEM Lease Form BOEM-2004 (Section 12) · OCSLA § 5

§ F · Takeaways

Key takeaways

  • No mining is happening today

    There is no commercial deep-sea mining in American Samoa's waters — or anywhere in the world.

  • Leasing is not mining

    Exploration leases only support scientific research: surveys, mapping, sampling and studies.

  • Science comes first

    Years of studies and environmental review are required before any decision on extraction.

  • Public participation matters

    Community input will help guide future decisions at every step of the process.

“We are committed to a transparent, responsible, and science-based approach that protects our ocean and builds opportunity for American Samoa.”
Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula · Governor, American Sāmoa