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Executive Order 14285
Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources
Signed April 24, 2025, printed at 90 FR 17735. 4 sections of substance, 1,549 words.
This order opens the sea floor to mining. It says key metals lie under American waters.
Sec. 1. Background
The United States has a core national security and economic interest in maintaining leadership in deep sea science and technology and seabed mineral resources. The United States faces unprecedented economic and national security challenges in securing reliable supplies of critical minerals independent of foreign adversary control. Vast offshore seabed areas hold critical minerals and energy resources. These resources are key to strengthening our economy, securing our energy future, and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical minerals. The United States also controls seabed mineral resources in one of the largest ocean areas of the world. Our Nation can, through the exercise of existing authorities and by establishing international partnerships, access potentially vast resources in seabed polymetallic nodules; other subsea geologic structures; and coastal deposits
The United States has a core national security and economic interest in maintaining leadership in deep sea science and technology and seabed mineral resources. The United States faces unprecedented economic and national security challenges in securing reliable supplies of critical minerals independent of foreign adversary control. Vast offshore seabed areas hold critical minerals and energy resources. These resources are key to strengthening our economy, securing our energy future, and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical minerals. The United States also controls seabed mineral resources in one of the largest ocean areas of the world. Our Nation can, through the exercise of existing authorities and by establishing international partnerships, access potentially vast resources in seabed polymetallic nodules; other subsea geologic structures; and coastal deposits
This sets out the case the order makes. It says the seabed holds critical minerals. It says supply now depends on rival states. It says the country controls a vast ocean area. It names metal nodules on the sea floor. It says partnerships abroad could open more.
Sec. 2. Policy
It is the policy of the United States to advance United States leadership in seabed mineral development by: (a) rapidly developing domestic capabilities for the exploration, characterization, collection, and processing of seabed mineral resources through streamlined permitting without compromising environmental and transparency standards; (b) supporting investment in deep sea science, mapping, and technology; (c) enhancing coordination among executive departments and agencies (agencies) with respect to seabed mineral development activities described in this order; (d) establishing the United States as a global leader in responsible seabed mineral exploration, development technologies, and practices, and as a partner for countries developing seabed mineral resources in areas within their national jurisdictions, including their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ); (e) creating a robust
It is the policy of the United States to advance United States leadership in seabed mineral development by: (a) rapidly developing domestic capabilities for the exploration, characterization, collection, and processing of seabed mineral resources through streamlined permitting without compromising environmental and transparency standards; (b) supporting investment in deep sea science, mapping, and technology; (c) enhancing coordination among executive departments and agencies (agencies) with respect to seabed mineral development activities described in this order; (d) establishing the United States as a global leader in responsible seabed mineral exploration, development technologies, and practices, and as a partner for countries developing seabed mineral resources in areas within their national jurisdictions, including their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ); (e) creating a robust
This states the policy. Seabed mining is to be developed quickly. Permits are to move faster. Environmental standards must still hold. Deep sea science and mapping are to be funded. Agencies must work together on it. The country is to be a partner to others doing the same.
Sec. 3. Strategic Seabed Critical Mineral Access
Within 60 days of the date of this order: [[Page 17736]] (a) The Secretary of Commerce shall: (i) acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, expedite the process for reviewing and issuing seabed mineral exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits in areas beyond national jurisdiction under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (30 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.), consistent with applicable law. The expedited process, consistent with applicable law, should ensure efficiency, predictability, and competitiveness for American companies; (ii) in coordination with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Energy, and in consultation with the heads of other relevant agencies, provide a
Within 60 days of the date of this order: [[Page 17736]] (a) The Secretary of Commerce shall: (i) acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, expedite the process for reviewing and issuing seabed mineral exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits in areas beyond national jurisdiction under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (30 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.), consistent with applicable law. The expedited process, consistent with applicable law, should ensure efficiency, predictability, and competitiveness for American companies; (ii) in coordination with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Energy, and in consultation with the heads of other relevant agencies, provide a
This sets the first steps within 60 days. Commerce must speed up seabed permits. That covers exploration and commercial recovery. It applies beyond any nation's waters. A 1980 law governs those permits. Interior and Energy help with the work. The aim is speed and certainty for firms here.
Sec. 4. Definitions
As used in this order: (a) The term ``mineral'' means a critical mineral as designated pursuant to 30 U.S.C. 1606(a)(3), as well as uranium, copper, potash, gold, and any other element or compound as determined by the Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council. (b) The term ``seabed mineral resources'' means polymetallic nodules, cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts, polymetallic sulfides, heavy mineral sands, phosphorites, and other mineral-bearing materials. (c) The term ``processing'' includes the concentration, separation, refinement, alloying, and conversion of minerals into usable forms.
As used in this order: (a) The term ``mineral'' means a critical mineral as designated pursuant to 30 U.S.C. 1606(a)(3), as well as uranium, copper, potash, gold, and any other element or compound as determined by the Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council. (b) The term ``seabed mineral resources'' means polymetallic nodules, cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts, polymetallic sulfides, heavy mineral sands, phosphorites, and other mineral-bearing materials. (c) The term ``processing'' includes the concentration, separation, refinement, alloying, and conversion of minerals into usable forms.
This defines the terms. Mineral covers those on a federal list. Uranium, copper, potash and gold are added. Seabed resources means the ores on the sea floor. Nodules, crusts and mineral sands are named. Processing means turning ore into usable metal.
Sec. 5. General Provisions
Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. [[Page 17738]] (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, April 24, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-07470 Filed 4-28-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body> </html>
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. [[Page 17738]] (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, April 24, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-07470 Filed 4-28-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body> </html>
This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.
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