# 2025-23795: Uncle Sam Reviews Deep Ocean Mining Apps in Clarion-Clipperton Zone

2025-23795, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings, is a Federal Register notice from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2025-12-23, effective 2025-12-23 (as of 2026-06-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-23795
- As of: 2026-06-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2025-23795
- Title: Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Citation: 90 FR 60064
- Published: 2025-12-23
- Effective: 2025-12-23
- Comments close: 2026-02-23
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 0648-XA00
- Last updated: 2026-06-08

## In one line

Uncle Sam Reviews Deep Ocean Mining Apps in Clarion-Clipperton Zone

## Summary

The government got two applications from The Metals Company USA to explore mining deep under the ocean in a special area called the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. They’re asking the public to share thoughts by February 23, 2026, and will host two fun virtual meetings in late January to hear everyone out. This could lead to new ocean mining projects that might impact the environment and economy.

## Abstract

Pursuant to the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA or the Act), notice is hereby given that NOAA received, on July 27, 2025, an amended application from The Metals Company USA, LLC (TMC USA) for a license to conduct seabed mining exploration activities within the seabed area beyond national jurisdiction generally known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (TMC USA Application A). NOAA received a second amended application from TMC USA on July 28, 2025 (TMC USA Application B). NOAA has determined that these applications are fully compliant with the applicable information requirements of DSHMRA and the Act's implementing regulations. Subject to applicable public disclosure limitations, interested persons are afforded the opportunity to examine the materials relevant to these applications and may submit written comments to NOAA electronically via the instructions below. These applications are electronically available at the locations listed below under ADDRESSES. Please note that the statements made in the TMC USA applications do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or the views of the U.S. Government. As part of the application review process, NOAA will also hold two virtual public hearings to receive oral public comments on these applications.

## Effects PRIA read

- Public hearings and comment deadline: benefit, low. NOAA is accepting public written comments on two exploration license applications until February 23, 2026, and will hold two virtual public hearings on January 27 and January 28, 2026 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time. You must register by January 21, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET to attend (attendance limite…
- Applications for Clarion-Clipperton mining: mixed, high. NOAA received two amended applications from The Metals Company USA on July 27, 2025 and July 28, 2025 for deep seabed mining exploration licenses in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone and has found the applications to meet the information requirements of the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. These a…

## Related documents

- [2026-14204](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14204): Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date, 2026-07-15
- [2026-14195](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14195): Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act, 2026-07-14
- [2026-07536](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-07536): Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America, 2026-04-17
- [2026-05599](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-05599): Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period…, 2026-03-23
- [2026-04256](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-04256): Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fi…, 2026-03-04
- [2025-06746](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-06746): Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act, 2025-04-17

## Sources
- [2025-23795 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/23/2025-23795/deep-seabed-mining-notice-of-receipt-of-applications-for-deep-seabed-mining-exploration-licenses-and)
- [2025-23795 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-12-23/pdf/2025-23795.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2025-23774, Proposed Collection; 60-Day Comment Request; Loan Repayment Programs (LRP), (Of…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-23774)
- [Next: 2025-23797, Agreement Between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Departm…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-23797)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-23795 (as of 2026-06-08).