Attorneys Sara Clark, William Scarfone, and Miriam George Explore Litigation Risks from Trump's Deep Seabed Mining Executive Order in Latest Client Alert

In our latest client alert, Quinn Emanuel attorneys Sara Clark, William Scarfone, and Miriam George discuss the litigation risks emerging from Trump's Executive Order on deep seabed mining—the first push to commercialize critical mineral extraction in international waters.

Trump's Executive Order fast-tracks U.S. permits for harvesting polymetallic nodules containing cobalt, manganese, and rare earth minerals to counter China's dominance, but creates a "perfect storm of complex, high-profile legal action" under the untested Deep Seabed Hard Minerals Resources Act. Key litigation risks include environmental impact challenges, international law violations (30+ nations oppose unilateral U.S. permits), competitive disputes over exclusive mining territories, and regulatory compliance enforcement. With The Metals Company filing the first-ever commercial recovery permit application, companies entering this emerging $1 trillion industry need deep regulatory expertise and should prepare for sophisticated legal challenges blending environmental law, administrative law, and international disputes.

Read the client alert here.