Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata renewed American Samoa’s opposition to deep sea mineral mining at a House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing…and secured an assurance on any profit sharing with the territory. KHJ New Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye has the details.
Amata confronted Oliver Gunasekara, CEO of mining lease applicant Impossible Metals directly…
Play Audio
Amata “You mentioned that, should Impossible Metals receive the contract to extract minerals near American Samoa, you would voluntarily dedicate 1-percent of the profits to the territory. How would this offer of federal profit sharing change if the federal government were to provide their own subsidy to the territory based on the lease?
…to which Gunasekara replied…
Play Audio
Gunasekara “It wouldn’t. We encourage the federal government to share revenues and lease fees with coastal communities, as is done in the Gulf of America with offshore oil and gas. That’s something that we would like to see. But we have committed, no matter what, we will voluntarily commit 1-percent of the profit.”
Gunasekara told Amata it will take 3 more years for Impossible Metals to commercially scale up green technology and has an agreement with Germany to help with an environmental assessment.
Amata acknowledged the critical minerals security threat from China, but stressed American Samoans are opposed to deep sea mining for cultural and economic reasons.
Play Audio
Amata “Fishing is our lifeblood…and if the technology is not ready or will harm the environment, we simply can’t proceed.”
Amata noted from her earlier comments to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management opposition by the Governor and other local leaders. But if mining happens, it not be any less than 50 miles offshore.
