Guam Governor Learns of Mining Plans via News

Lou Leon Guerrero, the governor of Guam, discovered the U.S. government's intention to lease millions of acres of seafloor around her island for mining purposes through a news report on November 12. Her advisor forwarded her a link to an article, which revealed the Trump administration's plan to offer these ocean areas to mining companies. Governor Leon Guerrero expressed shock and dismay at this lack of prior notification, stating she had "not heard anything about it." She immediately contacted David Apatang, the governor of the neighboring Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, another U.S. territory. Both governors were reportedly upset by the absence of any warning regarding these significant federal plans that would impact their waters.

Following her conversation with Governor Apatang, Leon Guerrero reached out to Bill Hague, an official within the Department of the Interior. This department is responsible for managing federal relations with U.S. territories and tribal nations. During her conversation with Hague, Governor Leon Guerrero acknowledged Guam's status as a U.S. territory, recognizing the federal government's authority to proceed with such actions regardless of territorial input. However, she explicitly stated her opposition to the mining initiative, saying, "I want you to know I don’t support this." Hague reportedly assured her that any mining operations would not move forward without the community's consent. Despite this assurance, nearly a year later, federal plans to lease these seafloor areas are progressing.

The Trump administration's push to lease vast tracts of the ocean floor is part of a broader strategy to secure critical minerals essential for military technologies and battery production. These minerals include copper, manganese, nickel, and rare earth elements, resources where China currently holds a dominant position in the global supply chain. The administration's initial focus for these deep-sea mining leases is on America's Pacific island territories. In July, the Marine Minerals Administration announced its intention to auction access to 31 million acres of the continental shelf, a move that has drawn concern from territorial leaders. This initiative follows a similar situation with American Samoa, where territorial authorities have expressed opposition to deep-sea mining, yet the federal government appears poised to proceed.

The Department of the Interior, through its Marine Minerals Administration, is overseeing these efforts. The agency's role involves managing the leasing of mineral resources on federal lands and submerged lands. The proposed leases encompass significant portions of the seafloor, aiming to tap into mineral deposits that are increasingly vital for technological advancements and the transition to renewable energy. The lack of direct consultation with territorial governments like Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands raises questions about the federal government's approach to territorial governance and environmental stewardship in resource-rich ocean areas. The push for critical minerals underscores a geopolitical dimension, as the U.S. seeks to reduce reliance on foreign sources, particularly China, for these strategic materials.