HAGATNA (THE GUAM DAILY POST) — Guam senators are drawing a hard line on the U.S federal government’s push to explore deep seabed mining in waters near the island, with one lawmaker insisting the White House must first lift longstanding maritime restrictions before the territory will consider granting access to its exclusive economic zone.
Senator Jesse Lujan, who chairs the Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Customs, Utilities, and Federal and Foreign Affairs, tied any discussion of mineral exploration directly to economic relief for Guam.
“Guam holds one of the world’s last untouched deep-sea frontiers,” Lujan said. “If the federal government seeks to explore it, then Guam must be empowered to thrive economically. We are prepared to discuss responsible access to our EEZ, but only if the White House is ready to help lift the maritime shackles of the Jones Act and cabotage restrictions. Environmental stewardship must be matched by economic justice.”
His comments came as part of a broader legislative response to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s request for information on commercial leasing for minerals offshore the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. The comment period closes 12 December.
The Trump administration’s initiative aims to position the United States as a global leader in seabed mineral exploration, particularly as competition with China intensifies over access to rare earth elements and other critical minerals found on the ocean floor.
But Senator Telo Taitague, who chairs the Committee on Economic Investment, Military Buildup, Regional Relations, Technology, Regulatory Affairs, Justice, Elections, and Retirement, questioned whether Guam would see any real benefit from the mining operations.
“At this point, I do not see there being an economic development opportunity for tech sectors on Guam because the purpose of this deep-sea mining is not to boost Guam’s economy or create new opportunities for development in the tech sector but to establish the United States as a global leader in seabed mineral exploration and development within and outside of its national jurisdiction and to counter China’s influence in the seabed mineral resource space,” Taitague said.
She added that building regional partnerships with the CNMI and other Pacific Island nations is critical as resource management discussions advance, particularly given that natural resources in the region are far more limited than those available in the continental United States.
Taitague also highlighted potential conflicts between military construction demands and mineral resource management. She noted that recent efforts to use Chamorro Land Trust lands for quarrying already show tensions between homestead needs, environmental protection and industry interests.
“Increased military construction could further strain land availability, accelerate quarry expansion, or divert resources from civilian priorities,” she said. “So, while mineral extraction may assist the military buildup, important conflicts may arise around land use, environmental impacts, resource allocation, and community needs – making strong, transparent mineral resource management essential.”
Vice Speaker Tony Ada, who chairs the Committee on Land, Environment, Housing, Agriculture, Parks, and Infrastructure, emphasised the environmental risks posed by offshore mining in the region.
“Extraction activities may disrupt our sensitive marine ecosystem and endanger biodiversity, impacting our fisheries and coral reefs,” Ada said. “It will affect maritime activity and offshore operations, interfere with fishing, and potentially impact the safety of and our access to our waters.”
Ada said his committee is committed to maintaining communication with federal agencies and pushing for joint research initiatives and data sharing to inform risk assessments. He plans to reach out to local agencies and federal counterparts to keep the community informed and engaged.
While joining other local leaders in urging an extension to the comment period, Ada encouraged residents to review the request for information and submit comments before the current deadline.
“The community is urged to participate in public meetings and be informed about any matter that affects our island,” he said. “Those who need assistance may reach out to our office in providing comment.”
Senator Sabina Perez, who chaired the environment committee in the 37th Guam Legislature, called for a moratorium on seabed mining grounded in Indigenous rights and climate justice.
“The deep ocean is one of the most fragile and least understood ecosystems on Earth,” Perez said. “What concerns me most is the irreversible destruction of biodiversity and ecological functions that could occur. Seabed mining threatens to destroy seafloor habitats, disturb sediment layers that play a role in carbon storage, and introduce heavy metals and toxins into the water column.”
She warned that damage to these ecosystems could take centuries to recover, if at all, and emphasised the interconnectedness of Pacific waters.
“Even if mining is not occurring directly in our waters, the interconnectedness of the Pacific means we will feel the consequences,” Perez said.
She urged Guam’s environmental advocates to submit comments highlighting risks to the island’s exclusive economic zone and to elevate Indigenous voices in the federal review process. She also called for solidarity with Pacific Island nations resisting deep sea mining, including partnerships with groups like the Pacific Network on Globalisation, Blue Ocean Law and the Pacific Blue Line.
“This is not just about ecology. It is about sovereignty,” Perez said. “Guam’s right to protect our natural and cultural resources must be recognised and upheld. Deep sea mining is being driven by global extractive interests that do not have our health, food security, or future in mind.”
The BOEM request for information seeks public input on whether and how to move forward with mineral leasing in the region. The agency is gathering data on potential environmental impacts, economic opportunities and regulatory frameworks that would govern any future mining operations.
Comments can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at regulations.gov by searching for BOEM-2025-0351 or by mail to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Pacific Region, Office of Strategic Resources, 760 Paseo Camarillo (CM 102), Camarillo, California 93010.
Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and CNMI Governor David Apatang have both called for extending the comment period and ensuring territorial consent before any mining activities proceed. Delegates from both territories have similarly demanded more time and greater involvement in federal decision-making.
Ada stressed that any potential economic benefits must be carefully weighed against environmental risks and long-term harm to natural resources.
“As an island, we must insist that these risks be assessed very carefully and cannot be rushed, considerate of robust mitigation to ensure that economic advantages do not come at the expense of our environment or our people,” he said…. PACNEWS