American Samoa Outer Continental Shelf Pacific Mineral Lease Sale 1
What happened
Signed by Donald Trump, the Department of the Interior's Marine Minerals Administration announced an auction for American Samoa Outer Continental Shelf Pacific Mineral Lease Sale 1. The agency is offering two lease areas—OCS-P 0568 and OCS-P 0569, totaling over 31 million acres—on November 19, 2026. The 20-year leases will be awarded through an ascending oral auction with a minimum bonus bid of $3,000,000 per area.
Why it matters
Winning lessees gain the opportunity to explore and develop marine minerals found in polymetallic nodules and ferromanganese crust deposits. Other offshore resources, including oil, gas, sulphur, and source materials for fissionable materials, are strictly reserved to the federal government.
Who it affects
- ›Marine mineral exploration and mining companies seeking Pacific offshore leases.
- ›Commercial bidders targeting polymetallic nodules and ferromanganese crust deposits.
- ›Federal leasing officials at the Marine Minerals Administration.
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