A New Frontline in Mineral Supply Chains: The Pacific Seabed

Bilateral accord sets governance model for critical minerals as supply chain security drives policy

8 Aug 2025

The United States and the Cook Islands have struck a deal that could help shape the future of seabed mining. Signed on August 4 and 5, during the Cook Islands' 60th anniversary of self-government, the pact lays out a regulatory framework for tapping the Pacific nation's cobalt, nickel, and manganese reserves, minerals vital to renewable energy and electric vehicles.

For the Cook Islands, the agreement is a validation of years spent building its seabed governance regime. The country created a Seabed Minerals Authority and in 2022 issued three exploration licenses in its waters. Washington's backing signals international recognition and could help draw investment. It also follows the Cook Islands' cooperation deal with China earlier this year, underscoring the islands' growing role in the geopolitics of critical minerals.

For the US, the move is about reducing dependence on dominant land-based producers in China and Africa. By working under a national legal framework rather than waiting for global consensus, Washington aims to encourage pilot projects and provide investors with clearer rules.

The pact stresses high operating standards, though technical details remain under wraps. Both governments have said companies will be required to use technology that limits environmental harm and follow transparency rules. Observers suggest this could serve as a model for other nations weighing seabed mining.

Still, critics remain wary. Environmental groups are calling for a global moratorium, pointing to gaps in scientific knowledge about deep-sea ecosystems. The deal highlights a growing split: some governments are moving ahead with national frameworks while others urge caution.

How this partnership plays out will be closely watched. If successful, it could show how national governance can balance ecological safeguards with the drive to secure future mineral supplies, setting the tone for seabed mining across the Pacific and beyond.