NOIA Launches Ocean Minerals Initiative

The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) has launched Ocean Minerals Forward, a new industry education and communications initiative examining the potential of deep-sea mineral resources to strengthen U.S. critical mineral supply chains, support domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

The initiative includes a dedicated website, a comprehensive report and educational resources covering seabed mineral development, offshore technologies, environmental considerations and the regulatory challenges facing the emerging industry.

Critical minerals including nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese and rare earth elements are increasingly important to defense systems, advanced manufacturing, energy infrastructure and digital technologies. With global processing and refining capacity concentrated in a limited number of countries, NOIA argues that ocean mineral resources could complement terrestrial mining, recycling and imports from allied nations. “America cannot afford to remain dependent on foreign-controlled supply chains for the minerals that power our economy and national defense,” said NOIA President Erik Milito. “The ocean holds significant mineral resources, and companies across the U.S. and allied nations are bringing the technology, offshore expertise, and investment needed to unlock their potential.” A central theme of the initiative is the potential application of existing offshore oil and gas industry capabilities to seabed mineral exploration and recovery.

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