# US companies apply to explore deep-sea mining in area bordering Pacific island states

Source: [Conservation news](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/11/us-companies-apply-to-explore-deep-sea-mining-in-area-bordering-pacific-island-states/) · 2026-11-11 · Life
Page: https://themorning.science/story/us-companies-apply-to-explore-deep-sea-mining-in-area-bordering-pacific-island-s-125a19663bb9e9a1
Kind: business · Impact: medium

## In brief

- Two U.S. companies have applied to the U.S. government for seabed mining exploration licenses.
- The two application areas are large patches of international waters near the Cook Islands, Kiribati and French Polynesia in the South Pacific.
- The source reports that local government officials and environmental organizations have raised concerns, with details limited in the excerpt provided.

## Why it matters

Exploration licences for deep-sea mining in international waters near Pacific island states could affect seabed ecosystems and the governance debate over mineral extraction beyond national jurisdiction.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-11: Two U.S. companies applied to the U.S. government for seabed mining exploration licenses in areas near the Cook Islands, Kiribati and French Polynesia.

## Coverage

- [US companies apply to explore deep-sea mining in area bordering Pacific island states](https://news.mongabay.com/2026/11/us-companies-apply-to-explore-deep-sea-mining-in-area-bordering-pacific-island-states/) — Conservation news, 2026-11-11

Tags: deep-sea mining, seabed, pacific ocean, marine policy, cook islands

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Brief generated by AI (claude-haiku-5-5) from the reporting listed under Coverage. Headlines belong to their publishers. The Morning Science – https://themorning.science