The Department of the Interior has announced new policy steps to speed up the search and development of critical minerals offshore. DOI says these actions support the Trump administration’s efforts to strengthen American leadership in this area by cutting red tape and streamlining the approval process, ensuring responsible development of critical minerals.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) are updating policies across all stages of development—from early exploration to post-lease operations and production. These updates are designed to reduce delays, improve coordination, and provide greater certainty for industry, all while upholding key environmental safeguards.
For early-stage exploration, or prospecting, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will apply existing streamlined environmental reviews whenever appropriate. It also plans to extend the duration of prospecting permits from three to five years, giving companies more time to complete their work without unnecessary interruptions.
To speed up the leasing process, BOEM will begin earlier by identifying potential areas for development right away, without first issuing a formal request for information or forming a joint task force with state and federal agencies.
Depending on the project, this change could save anywhere from two months to more than a year. BOEM will also begin preparing environmental assessments during the lease sale phase, reserving more detailed environmental impact statements for later planning stages if necessary. According to DOI, these steps will help reduce delays and shorten public comment periods. To further encourage participation, BOEM will offer favorable lease terms, including lower minimum bids and waivers for some rental fees.
Once a lease is issued, BOEM and BSEE will continue to streamline the process by considering offshore critical mineral projects for expedited permitting under the Department’s emergency procedures and other applicable laws. Approvals for mapping, testing, and site development will be fast-tracked by minimizing unnecessary paperwork and compliance steps.
When requested by the lessee, BOEM will also consolidate exploration, testing, and mining plans into a single review, reducing duplication and speeding up decision-making.
It’s not yet known how the changes will affect the lease request from Impossible Metals to commence a leasing process for the exploration and potential mining of critical minerals in the deep sea off the coast of American Samoa.
