Sheehy Pushes Ocean Floor Mining to Counter China’s Critical Mineral Dominance

WASHINGTON — Senator Tim Sheehy introduced legislation this week aimed at reducing America’s reliance on China for the materials that power everything from cell phones to military equipment.

The Revitalizing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals Dominance Act would speed up the process for American companies to extract minerals from the ocean floor, particularly in waters controlled by the United States.

“From sophisticated defense technology to everyday items like cell phone and car batteries, critical minerals are a key component of America’s national and economic security,” Sheehy said. “Expanding and investing in our critical minerals industry here at home is vital to limiting our reliance on foreign adversaries for these resources.”

The China Problem

The legislation responds to a growing concern among lawmakers: China currently controls about two-thirds of the world’s production of critical minerals like nickel, cobalt, copper and rare earth elements. These materials are essential for manufacturing everything from smartphones to electric vehicle batteries to advanced military systems.

China has already demonstrated its willingness to use this dominance as leverage, implementing export restrictions on critical minerals in 2023, 2024, and as recently as April of this year.

Meanwhile, Chinese state-owned companies are rapidly expanding their deep-sea mining capabilities. In 2024, a Chinese vessel deployed a prototype mining vehicle at depths of over 4,000 meters — a national record — to conduct mineral collection tests. Two major Chinese state companies, China Minmetals and Beijing Pioneer Hi-Tech Development Corporation, are planning mining trials in international waters this year.

What the Bill Would Do

Sheehy’s legislation would require multiple federal agencies to act within 60 days to:

• Speed up the licensing process for American companies wanting to mine the ocean floor
• Create a plan to map areas of the U.S. continental shelf that contain valuable minerals
• Identify which minerals from the seabed are most important for defense and energy applications
• Work with international allies to support responsible seabed mining

The bill builds on executive actions by President Trump aimed at unleashing America’s offshore mineral resources.

“Ending our dependence on Communist China for critical minerals that power our economy and military is a national security priority,” said Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, who co-sponsored the legislation along with Senators Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Katie Britt of Alabama. “This bill will support our country’s growing critical mineral extraction industry, create jobs, and strengthen our supply chains.”

Ocean Mining Potential

The United States controls some of the largest ocean areas in the world, and estimates suggest that 37 of the 50 minerals on the U.S. Geological Survey’s critical minerals list can be found in American offshore waters.

The bill specifically targets several types of underwater mineral deposits, including polymetallic nodules, cobalt-rich crusts, and heavy mineral sands that contain materials like nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, titanium, and rare earth elements.

“The United States faces growing challenges in securing a critical minerals supply chain that is independent from control by our foreign adversaries,” said Senator Britt. “President Trump has taken important steps to ensure that the United States can take advantage of its technological leadership in developing these minerals in the deep sea, and it is time that we in Congress step up to codify these important actions.”

The legislation emphasizes developing these resources responsibly, requiring environmental monitoring and maintaining transparency standards while streamlining the permitting process.

“Domestic production of critical minerals is essential to America’s national security,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Revitalizing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals Dominance Act would reduce our dependence on China for critical minerals by building on President Trump’s important work to secure these supply chains in the United States.”