Critical Minerals Are Moving to the Front Line of National Security

Executive Summary

• The release highlights the growing strategic importance of critical minerals—including deep‑sea polymetallic nodules—for national security and clean‑energy technologies.
• NOAA announced a major deep‑sea mapping initiative off American Samoa, supporting domestic exploration efforts by Deep Sea Minerals Corp.
• Several companies disclosed material operational updates: Kraken Robotics reported $35 million in battery sales; Transocean announced drilling rig contracts totaling roughly $168 million of backlog.

Key Details

• Critical Minerals Outlook: Global market projected to grow from ~$328 billion (2024) to $494 billion by 2030, with longer‑range forecasts near $586 billion by 2032.
• NOAA Mapping Initiative: High‑resolution seabed mapping and environmental baseline data collection in federal waters offshore American Samoa, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s offshore critical minerals agenda.
• Deep Sea Minerals Corp. (CSE: SEAS): Welcomed NOAA program as a prerequisite for responsible subsea mineral exploration; CEO James Deckelman emphasized need for scientific and environmental data.
• The Metals Company USA LLC: Submitted consolidated application to NOAA for an exploration license and commercial recovery permit covering ~65,000 km² in the Clarion‑Clipperton Zone (CCZ), expanding from its prior 25,000 km² area.
• Odyssey Marine Exploration: BOEM initiated formal review of a potential marine mineral lease sale offshore Virginia, signaling progress toward U.S. Outer Continental Shelf mineral development.
• Kraken Robotics Inc. (TSX‑V: PNG): Announced $35 million in SeaPower battery sales to three undisclosed customers; highlighted 200% higher energy density and 46% lower weight per kWh versus traditional batteries, with manufacturing capacity expanding in North America and Europe for 2026.
• Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG): Awarded a contract for the Deepwater Mykonos rig with BP in Brazil (~$120 million backlog, 302‑day campaign starting Q3 2026) and exercised three one‑well options on the Enabler rig in Norway (~$48 million backlog, extending work through Sep 2027).
• Industry Context: Deep‑sea mining is positioned as a strategic avenue to diversify supply of nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, and rare earths, reducing reliance on geopolitically risky terrestrial sources.

Notable Quotes

“We view NOAA’s deep‑sea mapping program as a meaningful and necessary step in building the scientific and environmental foundation required for responsible subsea mineral exploration,” – James Deckelman, CEO, Deep Sea Minerals Corp.

“Reliable access to critical minerals is essential to America’s economic vitality and national security,” – Mark Gordon, Chairman & CEO, Odyssey Marine Exploration.