Greenpeace USA has issued a strong condemnation of Impossible Metals’ recent application for a deep-sea mining lease in U.S. federal waters off the coast of American Samoa. Framing the move as reckless and desperate, Greenpeace warns that it reflects not a thriving industry, but one in collapse. The organization argues that the proposal is not only environmentally dangerous but also culturally disrespectful, particularly in light of Pacific communities’ clear opposition to deep-sea mining. In doing so, Greenpeace shines a spotlight on a broader industry trend marked by instability, scientific uncertainty, and a growing global call for a moratorium.
The bid by Impossible Metals is taking place amid a string of failures across the deep-sea mining sector. In February 2025, the company was forced to postpone a mining test scheduled for 2026 in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, citing technological unpreparedness. This setback was followed closely by the bankruptcy of Loke Marine Minerals, a Norwegian company once touted as a leader in the sector. The collapse of Loke sent shockwaves through investment circles, exposing the fragile financial foundations of the industry. Compounding these developments, The Metals Company declared it would bypass the international regulatory framework established by the United Nations and instead pursue a U.S. mining license under the obscure and largely dormant Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. This announcement raised serious questions about oversight and the potential for fast-tracking exploitation without adequate environmental safeguards in place.
The application by Impossible Metals is especially controversial given the stance of American Samoa. In July 2024, the territory became the first in the United States to enact a moratorium on deep-sea mining. Leaders cited the threat to marine biodiversity, cultural heritage, and the region’s tuna fishery, which plays a vital role in its economy. Greenpeace hailed this decision as a courageous act of ocean stewardship and a potential model for broader U.S. policy. For Impossible Metals to now seek a lease just outside those protected waters is seen by many as not only tone-deaf but a blatant disregard for the expressed will of Pacific communities. Solomon Kaho‘ohalahala, a Hawaiian elder with the Maui Nui Makai Network, captured this sentiment when he described the move as a betrayal of Pacific values and sovereignty. He emphasized that the ocean has no borders visible to its people or its marine life, calling on the U.S. government to respect the rights of Indigenous communities to make decisions about their own waters.
Beyond the ethical and cultural dimensions, Greenpeace and others point to the overwhelming lack of scientific readiness. Over 90 percent of species in the targeted zones remain undescribed, and key ecological processes such as nutrient cycling and newly discovered phenomena like deep-sea oxygen production are only beginning to be understood. Without a clear environmental baseline or long-term impact data, the risks of mining are simply unknowable. Furthermore, much of the research informing the industry is not independent, but rather funded by mining interests themselves. This raises doubts about the objectivity and precautionary nature of the science guiding decisions that could lead to irreversible damage.
In light of these concerns, Greenpeace has reiterated its call for a global moratorium on deep-sea mining. The organization joins scientists, Indigenous leaders, and governments around the world in urging that no mining should occur until truly independent research, effective global governance, and the full consent of affected communities can be ensured. Greenpeace maintains that the deep ocean, one of Earth’s last largely untouched frontiers, should remain off-limits for now and into the foreseeable future.
The deep sea represents a realm of immense ecological value and cultural significance, but it also remains poorly understood and highly vulnerable. Rather than advancing speculative and potentially catastrophic ventures, Greenpeace urges the U.S. government to follow the lead of American Samoa and others who prioritize protection over profit. In the face of growing public scrutiny and mounting scientific warnings, the time has come not to mine the ocean floor, but to protect it—for the sake of biodiversity, climate resilience, and the people who call the Pacific home.
Photo at top: Greenpeace Canada activists in kayaks bring their message to the “Impossible Metals” company during a demonstration of their Eureka II model in Georgian Bay. © Serena Mola / Greenpeace